Firearm configuration for reducing frame battering

Abstract

Disclosed is a firearm configuration for a handgun. The firearm configuration is designed to reduce the recoil forces encountered by a user upon firing the weapon. It further includes a recoil plate that absorbs forces generated by the slide during firing. The various details of the present disclosure, and the manner in which they interrelate, will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Claims

1. A firearm configuration (10) for reducing recoil forces encountered by the user of a firearm (12), the firearm configuration (10) being triggered by the user's trigger finger, the firearm configuration comprising: an upper housing (14), the upper housing including a barrel (16) and a firing assembly (18) arranged along a first axis (24), the upper housing (14) having a single recoil mass (22) with an opening; a lower housing (26) slidably interconnected to the upper housing (14), a trigger (28) and trigger assembly (32) positioned within the lower housing (26), the trigger assembly (32) being interconnected to the firing assembly (18), the trigger assembly (32) being used to selectively actuate the firing assembly (18) and fire the firearm (12), the lower housing (26) further including a guide rod (42) and recoil spring (44) extending through the opening in the recoil mass (22) and arranged upon a third axis (46) below and parallel to the first axis (24), the recoil mass (22) adapted for linear movement along the guide rod (42) continuously parallel to the first axis (24) and with the guide rod (42) in alignment with the trigger (28); a recoil plate (52) formed forwardly of the trigger assembly (32) and along the third axis (46), the recoil plate (52) absorbing forces generated by the recoil mass (22) during firigin; wherein after firing the firearm, the upper housing and the recoil mass slide back with respect to the lower housing with the recoil mass sliding along the guide rod.

2. The firearm configuration (10) as described in claim 1 further comprising a magazine (36) with ammunition (38), the ammunition (38) being delivered upwardly into the upper housing (14) between the barrel (16) and the firing assembly (18).

3. The firearm configuration (10) as described in claim 1 wherein a first axis (24) extends along the barrel (16), the trigger (28) pivots about a second axis (34), a third axis (46) extends along the guide rod (42) and wherein the third axis (46) is located substantially below the first axis (24) and the second axis (34).

4. A firearm configuration for reducing recoil forces encountered by the user of a firearm, the firearm configuration comprising: an upper housing, the upper housing including a barrel arranged along a first axis, the upper housing having a recoil mass; a lower housing slidably interconnected to the upper housing, a trigger and trigger assembly positioned within the lower housing, the trigger assembly being used to fire the firearm, the lower housing further including a guide rod and recoil spring interconnected to the opening of the recoil mass and arranged upon a third axis with the guide rod in alignment with the trigger and parallel to the first axis; a recoil plate positioned forward of the trigger and along the third axis to absorb forces generated by the recoil mass; wherein after firing the firearm, the upper housing and the recoil mass slide back with respect to the lower housing with the recoil mass sliding along the guide rod.

5. The firearm configuration as described in claim 4 wherein the recoil mass is adapted for linear movement along the guide rod continuously parallel to the first axis.

6. The firearm configuration as described in claim 4 wherein the firearm has a center of mass and wherein the recoil mass moves along an axis that passes through the center of mass.

7. The firearm configuration as described in claim 4 further comprising a firing assembly arranged along the first axis, the trigger assembly being interconnected to the firing assembly and being used to selectively actuate the firing assembly.

8. The firearm configuration as described in claim 4 wherein the recoil mass includes an opening and wherein the guide rod extends fully through the opening in the recoil mass.

9. The firearm configuration as described in claim 8 wherein there is a step formed within the opening of the recoil mass and wherein the recoil spring is positioned upon the step.

10. The firearm configuration as described in claim 4 wherein one of the surfaces of the recoil mass is sloped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the firearm configuration of the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the firearm configuration of the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the recoil plate of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the firearm configuration of the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a detailed view of an alternative embodiment of the recoil plate of the present invention.

(7) Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) The present disclosure relates to a firearm configuration for a handgun. The firearm configuration is designed to reduce the recoil forces encountered by a user upon firing the weapon. It further includes a recoil plate that absorbs forces generated by the slide during firing. The various details of the present disclosure, and the manner in which they interrelate, will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

(9) With reference now to FIG. 1, the firearm configuration (10) of the present disclosure is disclosed. As noted, configuration (10) assists in reducing recoil forces encountered by the user of an associated firearm (12). The configuration (10) includes an upper housing (14). Upper housing (14) is alternatively referenced as a slide, to describe its movement relative to lower housing (26). Upper housing (14) houses a barrel (16) and a firing assembly (18). The barrel (16) and firing assembly (18) are of a conventional construction. The specific trigger (28) and trigger assembly (32) depicted are of the type found in the Glock series of handguns. Upper housing (14) further includes a recoil mass (22) with an opening. In one possible embodiment, recoil mass (22) is tapered along its upper edge, with a thicker forward end and a narrowed rearward end. The recoil mass (22), however, need not be tapered. As noted in the figures, barrel (16) and firing assembly (18) are positioned in axial alignment with one another and are positioned along a first axis (24). First axis (24) is defined prior to the weapon being fired. The firing assembly (18) can take the form of a conventional striker firing assembly or a conventional hammer firing assembly. The use of other conventional firing assemblies is also within the scope of the present disclosure. One suitable firing assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,677 entitled Assemblies and Firearms Incorporating such Assemblies, which issued to Gaston Glock on Apr. 17, 2012. The contents of this issued patent are fully incorporated herein for all purposes.

(10) As noted, upper housing (14) (or slide) is slidably interconnected to the lower housing (26). A trigger (28) and trigger assembly (32) are positioned within the lower housing (26). The disclosed trigger (28) is a pivoting trigger, but sliding triggers can also be used in connection with the present invention. The depicted trigger (28) and trigger assembly (32) are of the type found in the Glock series of handguns, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,677, and are of a standard and well known construction. In accordance with the invention, trigger (28) pivots about a second axis (34). Second axis (34) is positioned below, and is perpendicular to, the first axis (24). The trigger assembly (32) is interconnected to the striker assembly (18). As is known in the art, ammunition (38) is delivered upwardly from the magazine (36) under a spring force into the upper housing (14). Individual cartridges to be fired are delivered between the barrel (16) and the firing assembly (18). Trigger assembly (32) is used to selectively actuate the striker assembly (18) and fire the firearm (12). The relationship between trigger assembly (32) and striker assembly (18) will be appreciated to those of ordinary skill in the art. The exact mechanism employed does not form part of the present invention and can be similar to that utilized by the type found in the Glock series of handguns.

(11) Lower housing (26) further includes a guide rod (42) and recoil spring (44) that extend through the opening in the recoil mass (22). Recoil spring (44) has an end seated within recoil mass (22). Guide rod (42) is positioned along a third axis (46). The third axis (46) is positioned below the second axis (34). Guide rod (42) is integral with the lower housing (26).

(12) In accordance with the present disclosure, when a user fires firearm (12), the upper housing (14) slides back with respect to the lower housing (26). This action, in turn, causes the recoil mass (22) to slide along the guide rod (42) to compress the recoil spring (44). The recoil generated by firearm (12) is greatly reduced by the position and movement of the recoil mass (22). More specifically, the axis of the recoil spring (44)i.e. the third axis (46)is parallel to and below the first axis (24), which is an axis drawn down the centerline of the barrel (16) prior to the firing of the weapon, and upon which the bullet exits the barrel. In this regard, the first and third axes (24) and (46) remain parallel to each other at all times during firing. As a result, the linear momentum generated by ammunition (38) leaving barrel (16) is completely countered by the linear momentum of the recoil mass (22) moving towards trigger (28). In other words, ammunition (38) leaving barrel (16) travels on a vector that is 180 degrees from the vector of the recoil mass (22). The positioning of recoil mass (22) below barrel (16) and striker assembly (18) also effectively lowers the center of mass of the overall firearm (12). In the preferred embodiment, the center of mass is in alignment with the recoil spring (44) (see FIG. 1). It should be noted that the exact center of mass may change as ammunition (38) is depleted. Nonetheless, it is preferred to keep the center of mass as closely aligned with recoil spring (44) as possible. By lowering the center of mass, there is no lever arm created between the trigger finger or arm and the center of mass. Such a lever arm would multiply any recoil forces and produce unwanted torque.

(13) Recoil is further reduced by positioning the axis of trigger (28)i.e. the second axis (34)in close proximity (i.e. approximately 1 inch or less) to the first axis (24). This ensures that the recoil mass (22) is in alignment with the user's trigger finger and/or arm upon firing. Computer modeling of the claimed invention demonstrates that a recoil mass of approximately 0.38 lbs., located approximately 3.1 inches forward of, and approximately 0.5 inches beneath, the center of force greatly reduced the associated muzzle rise. Specifically, the modeling showed that about 22% more free recoil was absorbed as compared to a conventional firearm. Likewise, muzzle rise was reduced by approximately 59%.

(14) The embodiment of FIG. 1 further includes a recoil plate (52). Recoil plate (52) is positioned in the area immediately forward of the trigger housing. Recoil plate (52) is preferably constructed from a high strength material, such as steel or titanium, or equivalent alloys or composite materials. This allows recoil plate (52) to absorb impact forces generated by recoil mass (22) during firing. Specifically, during firing, recoil mass (22) travels rearwardly to impact recoil plate (52). Recoil plate (52) function as a reinforcement means to absorb recoil forces and prevent damage to weaker components of the firearm (10). Recoil pate (52) can be formed integrally with the remainder of the firearm (10) or can be attached via suitable fasteners, such as rivets, welds, pins, or other fasteners. Recoil plate (52) can be integrally formed as part of guide rod (42). The end of recoil spring (44) preferably abuts the face of recoil pate (52). As more fully described hereinafter, alternative embodiments of recoil plate (52) may include an angled component (54) that extends over the top of the trigger housing (FIG. 2). Recoil plate (52) may also include upper rails (56) upon which the upper slide (14) travels (FIG. 5).

(15) Recoil plate (52) is preferably composed of high-strength material and is inserted into the comparatively lower-strength frame in the area under impact from the slide during recoil. The recoil plate (52) increases the durability of the frame not only through its advantage in material composition but also by further increasing the surface area available to the frame for transmitting the force imparted by the slide (14). This increase in surface area may include the normally wasted space directly behind the guide rod (42), but also by extending the sides and/or top and/or bottom of the recoil plate further into the frame. This may be assisted by an angled component (54) The latter not only helps to seat the recoil plate in the frame but also gives the frame additional surface area to absorb the slide impact beyond merely the surface area of the rear of the slide.

(16) As noted, recoil plate (52) optionally includes an integrated guide rod (42). Integration of the guide rod (42) with the recoil plate (52) (which itself may be permanently attached to the rest of the frame) results in a decreased parts count, lower manufacturing costs, simplified disassembly procedure, and increased weapon reliability.

(17) FIGS. 2 and 3 also show a refined recoil plate (52) with an angled component (54) that extends back over the trigger guard area in the frame. This allows the cam to interact with the track on a rotating barrel or other mechanism that similarly facilitates barrel locking and unlocking. This would also reduce parts count and manufacturing cost while increasing weapon reliability, as the cam must be made from high-strength material to interact with the steel (or other high strength material) barrel.

(18) It is also possible to include an accommodation to reinforce the area of the frame housing a barrel retention device upon the upper surface of angled component (54). Barrel retention devices interact with the bottom of the barrel when the slide and barrel are fully forward under spring pressure to retain both parts on the frame. The area of the frame around and interacting with the barrel retention device is a very high-stress area also, prone to cracking and other wear. By fortifying this area with high-strength material, frame wear is reduced and weapon reliability increased without increasing weapon parts count.

(19) FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the recoil plate (52) is fitted with a pair of upper rails (56). These rails (56) integrate onto the recoil plate the frame rails which mate with the rails on the slide (14), upon which the slide reciprocates during the recoil stroke. Such an integration would lead to lower manufacturing costs due to a lower number of parts being manufactured for insertion into the frame. It also enhances the modularity of the design, as a removable insert of this type would allow for frame rail replacement without having to replace the entirety of the frame.

(20) Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.