Abstract
The present invention is revolver louver which redirects the hot propellant gases which leak from the barrel-cylinder gap away from the user. The louver provides at least one directional passages which control the flow of propulsion gases after firing the revolver. Numerous embodiments are disclosed including some having an expansion capability to further block gas passage and one embodiment which is an extension of the revolver frame itself. One embodiment further comprises an expansion groove to further block the passage of propulsion gases. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved revolver that is more compact and safer for the user than a conventional revolver.
Claims
1. A revolver having a frame that has a clearance on the order of 0.001 inches from a front of a cylinder of the revolver and also has at least one arm that which partially surrounds a barrel of the revolver and will redirect gases generated from firing the revolver.
2. The revolver of claim 1, the frame having two arms which co-operate to direct gases upward.
3. The revolver of claim 1, the at least one arm maintaining a clearance on the order of 0.001 inches from the cylinder.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical revolver.
(2) FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of a typical revolver of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, featuring the cylinder.
(5) FIG. 5 is a front sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2.
(6) FIG. 6 is a front sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2, featuring the cylinder.
(7) FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a first embodiment of a revolver utilizing one embodiment of the louver.
(8) FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing an embodiment of the louver.
(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing an embodiment of the louver with an expansion groove.
(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing a third embodiment of the louver constructed of laminated layers.
(11) FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing a fourth embodiment of the louver with a U-shaped expansion groove.
(12) FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing a fifth embodiment of the louver with a V-shaped expansion groove.
(13) FIG. 13 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing a sixth embodiment of the louver with an expansion groove and utilizing sheet metal construction.
(14) FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing a seventh embodiment of the louver that is constructed of a compressible material.
(15) FIG. 15 a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing the louver of FIG. 14, in a compressed position.
(16) FIG. 16 a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing the louver of FIG. 9, with a ported barrel.
(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a revolver louver, which has a stepped construction.
(18) FIG. 18 is a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of the revolver utilizing the embodiment of the louver as shown in FIG. 17.
(19) FIG. 19 a sectional view, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, of a revolver utilizing an integrated louver structure.
(20) FIG. 20 is a partial rear perspective view of the revolver of FIG. 19, without the cylinder.
(21) FIG. 21 is a partial rear perspective view of the revolver and louver of FIG. 7, without the cylinder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(22) With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the revolver are herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Reference numerals indicated in the specification are consistent through all drawing sheets and indicate the following items:
(23) 100a typical revolver;
(24) 110frame;
(25) 112cylinder;
(26) 114center pin;
(27) 116cartridge;
(28) 118chamber;
(29) 120barrel;
(30) 122barrel throat;
(31) 124bushing;
(32) 126ratchet pad;
(33) 128barrel-cylinder gap;
(34) 130frame-cylinder gap;
(35) 210revolver louver;
(36) 212louver branches;
(37) 214louver trunk;
(38) 220alternate barrel;
(39) 224alternate bushing;
(40) 310second embodiment of a revolver louver;
(41) 312expansion groove;
(42) 314expansion groove trough;
(43) 410third embodiment of a revolver louver;
(44) 412expansion groove of the third embodiment;
(45) 414expansion groove trough;
(46) 416louver layers;
(47) 510fourth embodiment of a revolver louver;
(48) 512expansion groove of the fourth embodiment;
(49) 514expansion groove trough;
(50) 610fifth embodiment of a revolver louver;
(51) 612expansion groove of the fifth embodiment;
(52) 614expansion groove trough;
(53) 710sixth embodiment of a revolver louver;
(54) 810seventh embodiment of a revolver louver;
(55) 850barrel port;
(56) 910eighth embodiment of a revolver louver;
(57) 912louver relief step;
(58) 924alternate bushing feature.
(59) 950alternate frame
(60) 960alternate frame arms
(61) With reference to FIG. 1-2, a typical revolver 100 has the main components expected of a revolver, that is to say it has a frame 110, barrel 120, cylinder 112, center pin 114, and the ability to house at least one cartridge 116.
(62) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a typical revolver 100, taken along the Line A-A of FIG. 2, showing the components listed above, as well as, a chamber 118 of which there is often between five and ten of within a cylinder 112. The detailed cross-section of a cylinder 112, taken along the Line A-A of FIG. 2, of a typical revolver 100 as shown in FIG. 4 reveals how a cartridge 116 is dimensionally constrained. The cartridge 116 is located within the chamber 118 which is part of the cylinder 112. The rearward position of the cartridge 116 is constrained by the ratchet pad 126 of the cylinder 112 bearing on the frame 110. The forward position of the cartridge 116 is constrained by the cylinder 112 bearing on the bushing 124 which then bears on the frame 110. The axial clearance in this assembly is typically only 0.001-0.002 inches to prevent damage to the components during firing. The radial position of the cartridge 116 is constrained by the chamber 118 which, as part of cylinder 112, and is constrained by the center pin 114 which bears on the frame 110, in both the front and rear.
(63) Also shown in FIG. 4 is how the chamber 118 aligns with the barrel 120 and specifically the throat 122, which is the tapered region of the barrel 120 that helps align the projectile component of the cartridge 116 during firing of the typical revolver 100. To guarantee proper operation of the typical revolver 100 during adverse conditions there must be a gap between the barrel 120 and cylinder 112, which is commonly referred to as the barrel-cylinder gap 128. Hot propulsion gases expand spherically unless constrained by an external feature. As a result, they leak from the barrel-cylinder gap 128 during firing of the typical revolver 100 in a radially symmetric pattern due to the constraints provided by the frame 110, cylinder, 112, and barrel 120. The purpose of disclosed invention is to redirect the gases leaking from the barrel-cylinder gap 128 away from the frame-cylinder gap 130, and consequently away from the user and in a safe direction, which may be upward, as defined by the top of the firearm, away from the grip.
(64) Shown in FIG. 5 is the cross-section of a typical revolver 100, taken along the Line B-B of FIG. 2, which reveals that the cylinder 112 contains more than one chamber 118, and that one chamber 118 aligns with the barrel 120. Shown in FIG. 6 is the detailed cross-section of a typical revolver 100, taken along the Line B-B of FIG. 2, showing the details of the assembly just in front of the cylinder 112, including the throat 122 region of the barrel 120, and its proximity to the bushing 124.
(65) Shown in FIG. 7 is the cross-section of a typical revolver 100, taken along the Line B-B of FIG. 2, as in FIG. 6, but the bushing 124 has been replaced with a revolver louver 210 in the frame-cylinder gap 130 (FIG. 8). Since the bushing 124 is a structural part of the cylinder 112 assembly and the louver 210 replaces said bushing 124, the material chosen for this embodiment of the revolver louver 210 must be rigid. Although the revolver louver 210 could be any shape which results in the gases leaking from the barrel-cylinder gap 128 to be redirected from their typical radially symmetric pattern, the preferred configuration is a Y-shape, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 21, with two upwards branches 212 and a downward trunk 214, at least partially surrounding the barrel throat 122. The partial surrounding of the barrel creates a damming structure and leaves a passage whereby gases are redirected from their normal radial expansion. Any shape may be utilized so long as a passage is left for gases to escape. In addition to the Y-shape disclosed in the drawings, a U-shape may also be used, as may a partial ring, utilizing one branch partially surrounding the barrel throat 122. The design merely needs to block gases from the frame-cylinder gap and direct them in a safe direction from the user.
(66) FIG. 8 depicts the cross-section of the revolver louver 210 of FIG. 7, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. The barrel-cylinder gap 128 can be seen relative to the revolver louver 210. While the shown geometry will deflect the majority of the propulsion gases leaking from the barrel-cylinder gap 128, there is some axial tolerance between the revolver louver 210, cylinder 112, and ratchet pad 126 as mentioned above, along the major axis of the center pin 114, within the constraints of the frame 110, such that it may be possible for gases to leak downward between the revolver louver 210 and either the frame 110 or cylinder 112 towards the user. However, due to the axial clearance of the cylinder 112 along the axis of the center pin 114 being much less than the barrel-cylinder gap 128, and that the hot gases escaping from the barrel-cylinder gap 128 attempt to expand as a sphere of increasing radius, very little of the hot gases are likely to leak around the cylinder louver 210.
(67) As a result of the possible gas leakage around the cylinder louver 210 described above, an alternate embodiment of the revolver louver 310 is shown in FIG. 9. A tangential expansion groove 312 within the alternate revolver louver 310 is thin-walled to expand axially, similar to how a cartridge case expands during firing, against the frame 110 and cylinder 112, preventing propulsion gases from leaking around the alternate cylinder louver 310 and towards the user. After the pressure has dropped in the system from the projectile exiting the barrel 120, the thin walls of the expansion groove 312 of the alternate revolver louver 310 return to their original positions and the cylinder 112 is free to rotate again. Although there are likely many acceptable materials to construct the alternate revolver louver 310 out of, spring tempered steel and high strength and high temperature resistant plastics, such as nylon and acetal, are potentially good choices. As shown, the cross-sectional shape, or trough 314, of the expansion groove 312 may be rectangular.
(68) Shown in FIG. 10 is another alternate revolver louver 410, which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9 except that in addition to it having an expansion groove 412, it is constructed of laminated layers 416 to allow easier fabrication and/or varying material properties. Leaving the cross-sectional shape 414 of the expansion groove rectangular is a relatively easy and effective strategy with this construction.
(69) Shown in FIG. 11 is another alternate revolver louver 510, which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9 except that in addition to it being expandable, the expansion groove 512 is U-shaped, with a curved cross-sectional shape 514.
(70) Shown in FIG. 12 is another alternate revolver louver 610, which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9 except that in addition to it being expandable, the expansion groove 612 is V-shaped, with an angled cross-sectional shape 614.
(71) Shown in FIG. 13 is another alternate revolver louver 710, which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9 except that in addition to it being expandable, it is constructed from sheet metal. Since the sheet metal alternate revolver louver 710 cannot support an axial load, an alternate bushing 224 is required, which is possibly smaller in diameter than the original bushing 124. This alternate louver 710 blocks the frame-cylinder gap 130 after firing and gasses fill the louver 710, expanding both of its leaves outward to seal the frame-cylinder gap 130.
(72) Shown in FIG. 14 is another alternate revolver louver 810, which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 9 except that instead of it expanding axially due to pressure on the thin walls of an expansion groove, it expands axially due to being constructed of a compressible material. Radial pressure from the propulsion gases forces the louver to compress downward which in turn causes it to expand along the major axis of the center pin 114. Like with alternate revolver louver 710, this embodiment cannot support an axial load, and an alternate bushing 224 is required. FIG. 15 shows the alternate revolver louver 810 in its compressed position, having axially expanded and contacting the frame 110 and cylinder 112, thereby filling frame-cylinder gap 130. Like with the other expanding designs, alternate revolver louver 810, will return to its initial position once pressure has dropped in the system. A high temperature elastomer would be ideal in this embodiment as the material must withstand the heat of the propulsion gases without degrading.
(73) In the event that additional pressure is needed to expand the alternate revolver louver 310, or any other expanding embodiment, a ported alternate barrel 220 can be used to direct gases into the expansion groove 312 to aid in the thin walls expanding against the frame 110 and cylinder 112, as shown in FIG. 16. The port 850, or ports, can be circular, elongated, or any other shape, and in any direction. Additionally, there may be one port present, or multiple ports present, in the alternate barrel 220. The port or ports of the alternate barrel 220 can intersect the barrel-cylinder gap 128, or not.
(74) Shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is another alternate revolver louver 910 featuring a stepped construction. This alternate revolver louver features an alternate bushing feature which projects toward the cylinder from a planar surface of the louver. The louver relief step 912 is non-planer with the alternate bushing feature 924, faces towards the cylinder 112 and is located along an edge of the louver along the passage defined for gas redirection. This stepped construction aids in the cylinder 112 rotating smoothly, even if debris accumulates on cylinder 112. Additionally, the louver relief step may or may not be planer with the body of the alternate revolver louver 910.
(75) FIGS. 19 and 20 depict a further embodiment where the frame 950 is extended to reduce the frame-cylinder gap to the clearance normally required of the support bushing 124 (FIG. 4), which is to say on the order of 0.001 inches. Two arms 960 extend upward to surround the barrel 120 of the firearm and maintain the 0.001 inch clearance, thereby serving as a louver insert as described above. In essence, this embodiment is as if the initially described louver embodiment 210 (FIGS. 7 and 8) were brazed or otherwise attached to the frame 110 directly.
(76) Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. The shape of the louver has been described as being preferably Y- or U-shaped with a passage extending upwards as this is the typically safest direction in which to direct the gases resultant from firing the weapon. However, any shape may be utilized and such gases may be directed in any direction, including utilizing a singular arm which acts as a unilateral dam or a partial ring, so long as it is sufficient to re-direct gases away from the user. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
