SMALL FIREARMS AND METHOD OF OPERATING SMALL FIREARMS

Abstract

A small firearm includes: a receiver; a barrel including a barrel bore axis; an action including a bolt head; and a guide surface, the receiver being configured for (i) at least indirectly receiving the barrel including a locking mechanism area, a chamber, a guide area, and a muzzle arranged successively in the longitudinal direction, and (ii) at least indirectly receiving the action movably arranged within the receiver along the longitudinal direction from an open position to a closed position, the guide surface, which is within a locking space, being configured such that at least one of (i) an entry of a cartridge case under an influence of a torque during a movement of the action from a closed position to an open position is limited due to an interaction of an ejector and an extractor and (ii) an exit of the cartridge case is favored.

Claims

1. A small firearm, extending along a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a height direction, the small firearm comprising: a receiver; a barrel including a barrel bore axis; an action including a bolt head; and a guide surface, wherein the receiver is configured for (i) at least indirectly receiving the barrel including a locking mechanism area, a chamber, a guide area, and a muzzle arranged successively in the longitudinal direction, and (ii) at least indirectly receiving the action movably arranged within the receiver along the longitudinal direction from an open position to a closed position, wherein the bolt head includes a breech face, an extractor, an ejector, and at least one locking piece with at least one locking surface, wherein the locking mechanism area includes at least one bearing surface with which the at least one locking surface is configured for being brought into contact in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism area further includes a locking space, within which the at least one locking piece is configured for being moved from an unlocked position to a locked position in a region of the small firearm corresponding to the closed position, wherein the guide surface, which is within the locking space, is configured such that at least one of (i) an entry of a cartridge case under an influence of a torque during a movement of the action from the closed position to the open position is limited due to an interaction of the ejector and the extractor and (ii) an exit of the cartridge case is favored.

2. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the chamber has a length and a diameter, the quotient of which is a dimensionless quantity between 0.66 and 3.66.

3. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the small firearm is configured as a repeating weapon.

4. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the small firearm is configured as at least a partially automatic small firearm.

5. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is rigid.

6. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is at least one of arranged and configured to be movable within the locking space.

7. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is configured for being moved against a spring force from a rest position to a deflected position.

8. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface forms at least part of an edge area of the locking space .

9. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface forms at least one angle (?) relative to the barrel bore axis in a range of between ?15? and +15?.

10. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface forms at least one angle (?) relative to the barrel bore axis in a range of between 12.5? and 65? in at least one of a positive direction and a negative direction.

11. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface includes at least one angle (?).

12. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface includes at least one curvature.

13. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface provided within the locking space is configured and arranged in such a way that the entry of the cartridge case under the influence of the torque during the movement of the action from the closed position to the open position is limited due to the interaction of the ejector and the extractor to a maximum of 0.8 times the diameter of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber in a root area of the cartridge case seating area.

14. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface provided within the locking space is configured and arranged in such a way that the exit of the cartridge case, which has entered the locking space during the movement of the action from the closed position to the open position due to the interaction of the ejector and the extractor under the influence of the cartridge case under torque, is favored to at least 0.5 times of an amount of the entry.

15. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the action is arranged within the receiver such that the action is configured for being moved along the longitudinal direction, and the bolt head is arranged in the action such that the bolt head is configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation extending in the longitudinal direction.

16. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the action is arranged within the receiver such that the action is configured for being moved along the longitudinal direction, and the bolt head is firmly connected to the action.

17. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the action, at least in part, is configured as an expanding head lock.

18. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the small firearm is configured as a long gun.

19. The small firearm according to claim 1, wherein the small firearm is configured as a handgun.

20. A method for operating a small firearm, the method comprising the steps of: providing that the small firearm extends along a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a height direction and includes: a receiver; a barrel including a barrel bore axis; an action including a bolt head; and a guide surface, wherein the receiver is configured for (i) at least indirectly receiving the barrel including a locking mechanism area, a chamber, a guide area, and a muzzle arranged successively in the longitudinal direction, and (ii) at least indirectly receiving the action movably arranged within the receiver along the longitudinal direction from an open position to a closed position, wherein the bolt head includes a breech face, an extractor, an ejector, and at least one locking piece with at least one locking surface, wherein the locking mechanism area includes at least one bearing surface with which the at least one locking surface is configured for being brought into contact in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism area further includes a locking space, within which the at least one locking piece is configured for being moved from an unlocked position to a locked position in a region of the small firearm corresponding to the closed position, wherein the guide surface, which is within the locking space, is configured such that at least one of (i) an entry of a cartridge case under an influence of a torque during a movement of the action from the closed position to the open position is limited due to an interaction of the ejector and the extractor and (ii) an exit of the cartridge case is favored; and using the small firearm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0092] FIG. 1A shows a right side view of a small firearm configured as a semi-automatic pistol (self-loading pistol);

[0093] FIG. 1B shows a right side view of a small firearm configured as a bolt action rifle;

[0094] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the small firearm with the action open and the upper receiver part not shown for a better visibility;

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of FIG. 2;

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the closing movement of the action with removal of a cartridge from the magazine (cartridge feed);

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with closed action and cartridge in the chamber of the barrel (before firing) in a first embodiment;

[0098] FIG. 6A shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after the shot) in the first embodiment;

[0099] FIG. 6B shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

[0100] FIG. 6C shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

[0101] FIG. 6D shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

[0102] FIG. 6E shows a top view of a cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with partially opened action and cartridge case still partially in the chamber of the barrel (immediately after firing) in a further embodiment;

[0103] FIG. 7 shows a top view of an otherwise identical cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with the action open in a first stage; and

[0104] FIG. 8 shows a top view of an otherwise identical cross-sectional representation of the small firearm with the action open in a second stage.

[0105] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0106] The drawing with the thirteen FIGS. 1A through 8 shows a single optional embodiment example of a small firearm according to the present invention. Identical components are given the same reference sign in all figures and need not be shown or visible in all figures or (re)described in connection with each individual figure.

[0107] In the drawing, FIG. 1A shows a right side view of the small firearm 1, which is configured as a semi-automatic pistol and extends along a longitudinal direction X, a width direction Y and a height direction Z, including: [0108] a receiver 2, 2a, 2b [0109] a barrel 3 with a barrel bore axis A [0110] an action 8 with a bolt head 9,
wherein the receiver 2 is configured to at least indirectly receive the barrel 3 including one locking mechanism area 4, one chamber 5, one guide area 6 and one muzzle 7 indicated in the figure, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction X, as well as to at least indirectly receive the action 8 movably arranged within the receiver 2 along the longitudinal direction X from an open position I to a closed position II not shown and which action 8 includes the bolt head 9, wherein the bolt head 9 includes a breech face 11, as well as an extractor 12 and an ejector 13 not recognizable in this view and at least one locking piece 14, 14a, and 14b with at least one locking surface 15, 15a and 15b, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 in a not visibly represented form includes at least one bearing surface 16, 16a through 16f, with which the at least one locking surface 15, 15a and 15b can be brought into contact in the closed position II, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 moreover includes a locking space R, within which the at least one locking piece 14, 14a through 14f can be moved from an unlocked position III to a locked position IV in the region of the closed position II, and wherein furthermore within the locking space R, not visible in this figure, a guide surface 17 is provided, by way of which the entry of a cartridge case H, which is under torque M during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I is limited due to the interaction of ejector 13 and extractor 12, and/or the exit of the cartridge case H is favored.

[0111] FIG. 1B shows a right side view of the small firearm 1 configured as a repeating rifle, which is described in more detail in the other FIGS. 2 through 9 with various perspective and cross-sectional views and the contents of which can also be transferred analogously to small firearms configured according to FIG. 1A.

[0112] The small firearm 1 shown in FIG. 1B, which extends along a longitudinal direction X, a width direction Y and a height direction Z, includes: [0113] a receiver 2, 2a, 2b [0114] a barrel 3 with a barrel bore axis A [0115] an action 8 with a bolt head 9,
wherein the receiver 2 is configured to at least indirectly receive the barrel 3 including one locking mechanism area 4, one chamber 5, one guide area 6 and one muzzle 7 indicated in the figure, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction X, wherein individual positions are only shown and/or designated in the later FIGS. 2 through 8. The receiver 2, 2a, 2b is also configured to at least indirectly receive the action 8, which is arranged within the receiver 2, 2a, 2b so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction X from an open position I to a closed position II, which is shown here, and which includes the bolt head 9, wherein the bolt head 9 includes a breech face 11, an extractor 12, an ejector 13 and at least one locking piece 14, 14athrough 14f with at least one locking surface 15, 15a through 15f, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 includes at least one bearing surface 16, 16a through 16f, with which the at least one locking surface 15, 15a through 15f can be brought into contact in the closed position II, wherein the locking mechanism area 4 further includes a locking space R, within which the at least one locking piece 14, 14a through 14f can be moved from an unlocked position III to a locked position IV in the region of the closed position II, and wherein, moreover, a guide surface 17 is provided within the locking space R, by way of which the entry of a cartridge case H under torque M during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I is limited due to the interaction of the ejector 13 and extractor 12 and/or the exit of the cartridge case H is favored.

[0116] FIG. 1B also shows a butt stock 21 and a fore-end 22, which are connected to the small firearm 1 and in this way in particular form part of the small firearm 1. Furthermore, the magazine well 23 is shown as part of the lower receiver 2b, in which magazine well a magazine (cartridge magazine) 24 is fixed, which magazine serves to temporarily store the cartridges P to be removed from it by the action 8 (in particular the bolt head 9) during the repeating cycle and fed into the chamber 5 of the barrel 3.

[0117] Also visible is the operating element 25, which the operator (shooter) can use to control the repeating process and which is also called the loading lever or bolt handle.

[0118] Finally, in addition to other, unmarked elements of the small firearm 1, the safety 26, or rather its selector element, which acts on a lock mechanism arranged inside the receiver 2 and not shown in detail here, and the trigger 27 to be actuated to release the shot are also shown.

[0119] FIG. 2 shows the small firearms 1 in a first perspective view. In order to better illustrate and explain the internal functions of the small firearms 1, the upper receiver part is blanked out so that there is a clear view of the action 8 with the bolt head 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the bolt head 9 has a locking piece 14 with six locking pieces 14a through 14f. The illustration also provides a good view of the breech face 11, as well as of the ejector 13 and the extractor 12, which, after later removal of the cartridge P, which is here still in the magazine 24, exert a torque M on the cartridge P, which is supported by its base on the breech face 11.

[0120] The view further provides a view of the rear side of the block 18, the front side of which protrudes into the locking space 4, which is not yet recognizable here, and forms the guide surface 17.

[0121] It can also be seen that the action 8 is arranged within the receiver 2, 2a, 2b so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction X and that the bolt head 9 is arranged in the action 8 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 10 extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0122] FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the small firearm 1. In order to better illustrate and explain the internal functions of the small firearms 1, the upper receiver part is also blanked out here, so that in addition to the unobstructed view of the action 8 with the bolt head 9, there is now also a view into the locking space 4 and an edge area of the chamber 5 adjoining it in the muzzle direction.

[0123] The bearing surface 17 arranged in the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 is clearly visible.

[0124] FIG. 4 shows the small firearm 1 in a further perspective view, in which the action 8 with the bolt head 9 for feeding a cartridge P into the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 is illustrated in a movement from an open position I, as shown in particular in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, to a closed position II shown in the following figures and, for example, in FIG. 1B.

[0125] FIG. 5 now shows the top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with closed action 8 (which is to say, the action is in closed position II) and the cartridge P located in the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 (before firing) in a first embodiment in which the bearing surface 17 is formed by a block 18 projecting into the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 and arranged within the locking mechanism area 4. The block 18 is rigid and can be formed using a material that exhibits measurable and, in particular, visible deformations under the forces acting on the block during operation of a small firearm 1. Even if it is not immediately apparent from the illustration, the block 18 shown here should be understood as a component that shows no measurable and in particular no visible deformations under the forces acting on the guide surface/block during operation of a small firearm 1. For this purpose, the block is formed using a steel, the surface of which is optionally hardened and/or provided with a wear-reducing coating.

[0126] The block 18 can be replaceable or, as is to be assumed here, firmly connected to the barrel 3 of the small firearm 1.

[0127] The chamber 5 has a diameter D.sub.1, which indicates the diameter of the cartridge case seating area in its root area, and a length L.sub.3, which indicates the total length of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber, and is formed in an axial symmetrical manner about the barrel axis A, in the alignment of which the axis of rotation 10 of the bolt head 9 is also arranged.

[0128] The bolt head 9 is in a locked position IV in which the locking surfaces 15 (15athrough 15f) of the locking pieces 14 (14a through 14f) are in operational contact with the associated bearing surfaces 16 (16a through 16f).

[0129] In longitudinal direction X, the barrel 3 includes the locking mechanism area 4 with the locking space R, the chamber 5, the guide area and the muzzle 7, which muzzle is only visible in other figures.

[0130] The chamber 5 is configured in such a way that its length L.sub.3, which is to say, the total length of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber 5, and the diameter D.sub.1, which is to say, the diameter of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber 5 in its root area, form a dimensionless quotient between one times root two and two times root two. Accordingly, the quotient lies in a broadly defined range between 0.66 and 3.66, optionally between 1.0 and 3.0 and optionally between 1.41 and 2.22.

[0131] FIG. 6A likewise shows a top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with the action 8 now slightly open and the cartridge case H already partially released from the chamber 5 after firing the cartridge P from the previously described figure in the first embodiment in which the bearing surface 17 is protruding into the locking space R of the locking mechanism area 4 and arranged within the locking mechanism area 4.

[0132] The bearing surface has an angle ? relative to the barrel bore axis A, which is 0? or at least close to 0?. In other words, the bearing surface 17 and the barrel bore axis are approximately parallel, at least in this cross-sectional view, even if the bearing surface 17 does not necessarily need to be flat, but rather can also curve in an axial symmetrical manner about the barrel bore axis in the shape, for example, of a ring section. In any case, the angle ? here is in a range between ?15? and +15? and also within an optional range between ?7.5? and +7.5?.

[0133] The guide surface 17 provided within the locking space R is configured and arranged in such a way that the entry of a cartridge case H which during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I due to the interaction of the ejector 13 and extractor 12 is under the influence of a torque M, shown in FIG. 7, is limited to a maximum of 0.8 times the diameter D.sub.1, which is shown here once again in addition to the illustration in the figure, optionally to a maximum of 0.65 times, optionally to a maximum of 0.5 times, optionally to a maximum of 0.33 times, optionally to 0.25 times and optionally to a maximum of 0.15 times the diameter D.sub.1 of the cartridge case seating area in its root area. Indeed, it can be seen that although the guide surface 17 is set back from an imaginary projection of the inner surface of the jacket of the chamber 5 forming the diameter D.sub.1 and thereby, in principle, permits penetration of the cartridge case H into the locking space R, it is however limited to a penetration depth corresponding to a distance of approximately 3% to 10% of (the amount of) the diameter D.sub.1.

[0134] FIG. 6B shows a top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with partially opened action 8 and cartridge case H (immediately after the shot) still partially located in the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 in a further embodiment.

[0135] In a deviation from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, this embodiment here includes a first guide surface 17 and a second guide surface 17, which are provided within the locking space R, wherein the first guide surface 17 limits the entry of the cartridge case H, which is under the influence of a torque M during the movement of the action 8 from the closed position II to the open position I due to the interaction of the ejector 13 and extractor 12, and wherein the second guide surface 17 favors the exit of the cartridge case H from the locking space R.

[0136] The second guide surface 17 assumes an angle ? of approximately 20? relative to the barrel bore axis A, so that the angle ? is in the range between 12.5? and 65?, wherein in other embodiments it is possible that an optional range between 30? and 55? or even in an optional range between 32? and 45? can be formed in the positive and/or negative direction.

[0137] Apart from this, the illustration in FIG. 6B corresponds exactly to the illustration in FIG. 6A, with the additional exception that the block 18 forming the guide surface 17 is exchangeably mounted in the barrel 3 of the small firearm.

[0138] FIG. 6C shows a top view of a cross-sectional view of the small firearm 1 with the action 8 partially open and the cartridge case H partially still in the chamber 5 of the barrel 3 (immediately after the shot), in a further embodiment.

[0139] Deviating from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the guide surface 17 is here arranged and/or configured to be movable, in particular movable within the locking space R.

[0140] Wherein the guide surface 17 in this embodiment can also be moved against a spring force F from a shown rest position V to a deflected position VI that is not shown, in which the cartridge (case) is able to penetrate deeper into the locking space R.

[0141] In addition, the guide surface 17 here includes a curvature W and an angle ?.

[0142] FIG. 6D and FIG. 6E show a further embodiment example in two different stages, with FIG. 6D showing the guide surface 17 in a first working position V, in which the guide surface 17 assumes the tasks of a bearing surface 16, and FIG. 6E showing the same embodiment example in a second working position VI, in which the guide surface 17 functions as such.

[0143] For this purpose, the guide surface 17, or the block 18 forming the guide surface 17, is pivotably arranged about an axis. So that the guide surface 17 can perform its function as a bearing surface 16 in the first working position V, the block 18 is fixed in its position in the first working position by a movably arranged bar 28.

[0144] It is of course possible to deviate from the embodiments shown in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention which is otherwise defined by the claims and the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0145] A Barrel bore axis [0146] D.sub.1 Diameter, diameter of the cartridge case seating area in its root area [0147] F (Spring) Force, reaction force [0148] H Case, cartridge case [0149] L.sub.3 Length, total length of the cartridge case seating area of the chamber [0150] M Torque [0151] P Cartridge [0152] R Locking space/movement space [0153] X Longitudinal direction (X-direction) [0154] Y Width direction (Y-direction) [0155] Z Height direction (Z-direction) [0156] ? Angle, first angle [0157] ? Angle, second angle [0158] ? Angle, third angle

[0159] I Open position [0160] II Closed position [0161] III Unlocked position [0162] IV Locked position [0163] V Rest position [0164] VI Deflected position [0165] VII First working position [0166] VIII Second working position [0167] 1 Small firearms [0168] 2 Receiver [0169] 2a Upper receiver (upper receiver part), Upper [0170] 2b Lower receiver (lower receiver part), Lower [0171] 3 Barrel [0172] 4 Locking mechanism area [0173] 5 Chamber [0174] 6 Guide area [0175] 7 Muzzle [0176] 8 Action [0177] 9 Bolt head [0178] 10 Axis of rotation (for bolt head) [0179] 11 Breech face [0180] 12 Extractor [0181] 13 Ejector [0182] 14 Locking piece [0183] 14a Locking piece [0184] 14b Locking piece [0185] 14c Locking piece [0186] 14d Locking piece [0187] 14e Locking piece [0188] 14f Locking piece [0189] 15 Bearing surface [0190] 15a Locking surface [0191] 15b Locking surface [0192] 15c Locking surface [0193] 15d Locking surface [0194] 15e Locking surface [0195] 15f Locking surface [0196] 16 Bearing surface [0197] 16a Bearing surface [0198] 16b Bearing surface [0199] 16c Bearing surface [0200] 16d Bearing surface [0201] 16e Bearing surface [0202] 16f Bearing surface [0203] 17, 17 Guide surface [0204] 18 Block [0205] 19 Edge area (of the locking or movement space) [0206] 19a Part of the edge area (of the locking or movement space) [0207] 20 Turning point [0208] 21 Butt stock [0209] 22 Fore-end [0210] 23 Magazine well [0211] 24 Magazine [0212] 25 Operating element (bolt handle, loading lever) [0213] 26 Safety (selector element) [0214] 27 Trigger [0215] 28 Bar

[0216] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.