US20120023800A1

US20120023800A1 - Unitary breechblock assembly

Info

Publication number: US20120023800A1
Application number: US13/191,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark C. Laney
Original assignee: Smith and Wesson Corp
Current assignee: Smith and Wesson Brands Inc
Priority date: 2010-07-27
Filing date: 2011-07-27
Publication date: 2012-02-02

Abstract

A single-shot break action firearm includes a receiver, a barrel, and a stock. The receiver has a breach portion that defines a cavity that is sized and shaped to house a breechblock therein. The breechblock is constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding. The breechblock is form from a higher strength material than the receiver to contain explosive forces produced during discharge of the firearm. The barrel is connected with the receiver and extends forward therefrom. The stock is connected with the receiver and extends rearward therefrom.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

room This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,950, filed Jul. 27, 2010, entitled “UNITARY BREECH BLOCK ASSEMBLY”, the aforementioned application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to single-shot break action firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Single-shot break action firearms, typically, have a barrel enclosing a bore that extends from a breech end to a muzzle end of the barrel. The barrel is pivotally mounted to a receiver disposed near the breech end of the barrel. The receiver includes a breechblock, which blocks the breech end of the barrel when the barrel is in a closed position. Pivoting motion of the barrel on the receiver shifts the barrel to an open position wherein the breechblock does not block the breech end of the barrel. The breechblock typically houses a firing pin, which is aligned with an inner diameter of the barrel bore when the barrel is closed. The receiver typically houses a pivotally movable hammer and a trigger, by which the firing pin may be actuated toward the muzzle end of the barrel when the barrel is closed. Typical firearms also include ergonomic parts, such as a stock and a fore end, which are attached to the receiver. Typical break action firearms further include some sort of mechanism for securing the barrel in the closed position.
For loading the typical break action firearm, the barrel opened and a single cartridge of ammunition is inserted into the breech end of the barrel with the bullet toward the muzzle end of the barrel and with the primer rim fitted snugly to the breech end. The barrel then is closed. For firing, the trigger is pulled to release the hammer, which drives the firing pin forward against the primer rim of the cartridge, discharging the round down the bore.
Break action firearms typically are marketed either as economical sporting goods, or as finely crafted works of gunsmithing. In a gunsmithed break action firearm, all of the metal parts including the receiver and the firing mechanism are forged and machined from high quality materials such as steel. The use of high quality materials and time-intensive manufacturing processes results in high costs. On the other hand, for casual sporting firearms, it is common to economize on materials and modes of manufacture. In particular, the receiver of a break action firearm typically is die cast, with moving parts such as the hammer and trigger being pivoted on pins pressed through the receiver.
One potential problem with economical firearms is that the breechblock portion of the receiver can become worn by pivoting motion of the barrel. This wear, in turn, may adversely affect the performance of cartridges—for example, by permitting the rim of a cartridge to shift in the gap between the breechblock and the breech end of the barrel.
Accordingly, there is a need for an economically manufactured single shot firearm, in which the wear parts are formed from high quality materials at low cost, while non-moving parts are cast from lower cost materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a firearm receiver is die cast at low cost and is adapted to receive a slide-in unitary breechblock and barrel catch assembly, which provides sturdy wear surfaces at minimal cost of manufacture.
Additionally, upper interior surfaces of the die cast receiver are machined to provide interference flats, which engage complementary flats formed on a barrel tang, thereby enhancing engagement of the barrel catch with the barrel tang.
Additionally, the barrel tang, barrel catch, trigger, and hammer are mutually positioned to provide an interlock that prevents closing the barrel with the hammer cocked, and that also prevents releasing the hammer unless the barrel is fully closed or fully opened.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a break action firearm according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a left side sectional assembled partial view of a receiver, barrel assembly, catch mechanism, and firing mechanism of the firearm shown in FIG. 1, with the barrel assembly in a closed position.

FIG. 3A shows a left side view of the firing mechanism without the receiver of the break action firearm shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 3B shows a left side view of the receiver without the firing mechanism of the break action firearm shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a front exploded view of the break action firearm shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective exploded view of the firearm shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.

FIG. 6 shows a right side sectional exploded view of the receiver, catch mechanism, and firing mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows a forward partially exploded view of the firing mechanism and the barrel catch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.

FIG. 8 shows a right side sectional exploded view of the firing mechanism and the barrel catch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 in a partially open position.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the receiver shown in FIGS. 1 through 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a break action rifle 10 includes a barrel 12, which is pivotally mounted to a receiver 14 that supports a fore end 16 and a stock 18. The receiver also houses a firing mechanism 20, of which a hammer 22 and a trigger 24 are shown in FIG. 1, and a catch mechanism 66 (shown in FIG. 2). The barrel 12 has a breech end 26 and a muzzle end 28.
Referring to FIG. 2, the barrel 12 is connected to the receiver 14 by way of a barrel tang 30 and a pivot pin 32, located near the barrel breech end 26. The barrel tang 30 is attached to the barrel 12 by bolts 34 threaded into holes 35 tapped into the outer surface of the barrel 12. The barrel tang 30 includes a transverse through hole 36, while the receiver 14 includes transverse holes 38. The pivot pin 32 is inserted through the transverse holes 36, 38 to pivotally mount the barrel 12 to the receiver 14. The barrel 12 is pivotal between a closed position, where the breech end 26 rests against a breech portion 40 of the receiver 14, and an open position, where the breech end 26 is raised away from the receiver 14 permitting access to the barrel bore 41, as shown in FIG. 8.
With additional reference to FIGS. 5 through 7, the breech portion 40 of the receiver 14 houses a breechblock 42. When the barrel 12 is in the closed position, the breechblock 42 secures a cartridge 43 into the breech end 26 of the bore 41. The receiver 14 may be die cast from base metal or even from a thermoset plastic or fiber-resin composite. However, the breechblock 42 is injection-molded from high quality metal (such as steel powder) to form a high-strength, temperature- and wear-resistant structure suitable for containing the explosive forces produced by discharge of a rim fire rifle cartridge 43. In addition to enhanced strength over what can be achieved by die casting, metal-injection-molding (MIM) offers dimensional tolerances approaching what can be achieved by machining stock metal, so that MIM parts do not require the same level of finish machining as do conventionally die-cast parts. Thus, the separate structures of the receiver 14 and of the breechblock 42 offer optimal strength and fit at the critical location surrounding the breech end 26 of the barrel 12, with lower cost of manufacture than can be achieved by machining the receiver 14 and breechblock 42 as a single piece.
The breechblock 42 houses a firing pin 44 and a firing pin spring 46, which are parts of the firing mechanism 20. The firing pin 44 is positioned to be driven forward by the hammer 22, which is forwardly biased around a hammer pin 48 by a hammer spring 50. When the hammer 22 is pulled back to a cocked position, the trigger 24 is biased rearward around a trigger pin 52 by a trigger spring 54 so that a sear finger portion 56 of the hammer 22 engages a cocking notch 58 formed on the top end 25 of the trigger 24, thereby restraining the hammer 22 in the cocked position. By pulling the finger part 60 of the trigger 24 rearward, a shooter can release the hammer 22 to drive the firing pin 44 forward against the rim of a cartridge 43 loaded into the barrel bore 41.
Additionally, the breechblock 42 includes laterally extending pivots 62, which support a barrel catch 64 that is part of the catch mechanism 66 mentioned above. The barrel catch 64 is forwardly biased around the pivots 62 by a catch spring 68, which presses downwardly against a heel 70 of the barrel catch 64 to push the barrel catch 64 into a notch 72 formed in the rearward part of the barrel tang 30. Engagement of the barrel catch 64 into the notch 72 of the barrel tang 30 secures the barrel 12 in the closed position. The catch mechanism 66 also includes a trigger guard 74, which is pivotally mounted on a transverse pin 76, and a guard spring 78 with one end fastened to the receiver 14. The other end of the guard spring 78 rests against an inner surface 80 of the trigger guard 74 to downwardly bias the trigger guard 74 around the transverse pin 76. When a shooter pulls the trigger guard 74 rearward and upward against the guard spring 78, an upper finger 82 of the trigger guard 74 pushes upward on the heel 70 of the barrel catch 64 to release the barrel catch 64 from the barrel tang 30, thereby permitting the barrel 12 to pivot to the open position.
Referring briefly to FIG. 8, it can be seen that when the barrel 12 is opened, a knuckle 73 formed on the barrel tang 30 presses the barrel catch 64 rearward against the trigger 24. In case the hammer 22 is cocked when the barrel 12 is opened, pressure of the barrel catch 64 against the trigger 24 captures the sear finger portion 56 into the cocking notch 58, so that the trigger 24 cannot be pulled rearward to release the hammer 22. Thus the cocked weapon cannot be discharged unless the barrel 12 is fully closed; alternatively, the hammer 22 cannot be decocked unless the barrel 12 is fully opened. This interlock averts discharging a loaded cartridge with the barrel 12 less than fully latched closed.
Referring briefly to FIG. 9, the barrel tang 30 includes protruding side posts 83 with flattened lower faces 85. When the barrel 12 is fully closed, the lower faces 85 of the side posts 83 rest against complementary flats 87 machined into the receiver 14. The barrel catch 64 wedges into the notch 72 of the barrel tang 30 to firmly seat the complementary flats 87 together, and the opposed flats reciprocally push the notch 72 upwards to maintain the barrel catch 64 firmly engaged.
Referring back to FIG. 2, between the barrel 12 and the barrel tang 30, an extractor 84 is captured on the bolts 34. The extractor 84 includes longitudinal slots 86 (better shown in FIG. 3A) for receiving the bolts 34 so that the extractor 84 can slide lengthwise along the barrel 12 between forward (retracted) and rearward (extended) positions when the barrel 12 is pivoted to the opened position, as further explained below.
Referring to FIGS. 3A through 4, the receiver 14 encloses an action cavity 88 housing the firing mechanism 20 and the catch mechanism 66, a barrel tang slot 89 for receiving the barrel tang 30, and a breech cavity 90 for receiving the breechblock 42. For assembly of the hammer 22 and the trigger 24, the receiver 14 includes pinholes 92 and 94, respectively, as well as a hammer slot 93 and a trigger slot 95. For assembly of the catch mechanism 66 into the receiver 14, the receiver 14 also includes a catch spring groove 96, lateral pivot grooves 98, a guard spring groove 100, a guard recess 102, a guard pinhole 103, and a breech bolt hole 104. The breechblock 42 is fastened to the receiver 14 by a breech bolt 106 threaded into the breechblock 42 via the breech bolt hole 104. For operation of the extractor 82, the receiver 14 also includes a camming surface 108 offset from the pivot pin 32 at the forward end of the receiver 14. When the barrel 12 is pivoted to the open position, the forward end of the extractor 84 contacts the camming surface 108 so that the extractor 84 is pushed rearward to pull the cartridge 43 out of the breech end 26 of the bore 41. For assembly of the stock 18, the receiver 14 also includes a stock bolt hole 110.
In addition to the breechblock 42, the hammer 22, the trigger 24, the firing pin 44, the barrel catch 64, and the extractor 82 preferably are metal-injection-molded for enhanced dimensional accuracy and durability.
Opposite the barrel tang 30, a sight mount 111 is fixed to the upper side of the barrel 12 by screws 112 threaded into tapped holes 113. The sight mount 111 also can be metal-injection-molded, or can be die cast.
The fore end 16 is fastened to the barrel 12 by bolts 113, while the stock 18 is fastened to the receiver 14 by a single large bolt 114. The stock 18 includes an aesthetic cap 116 snapped over the large bolt 114, and also includes a shock-absorbing butt piece 118, which is secured to the stock by screws 120.
One advantage of the present invention is that the pre-assembled breechblock and catch ensure proper alignment of the catch with the notch formed in the barrel tang. Also, the pre-assembled breechblock and catch reduce the number of holes that must be formed at mutually accurate positions in the receiver. The catch spring and guard spring grooves further simplify assembly of the catch mechanism relative to previously known designs.
Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A single-shot break action firearm comprising:

a receiver having a breech portion, the breech portion defining a cavity being sized and shaped to house a breechblock therein, the breechblock being constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding, the breechblock being constructed of a higher strength material than the receiver to contain explosive forces produced during discharge of the firearm;

a barrel connected with the receiver and extending forward therefrom; and

a stock connected with the receiver and extending rearward therefrom.

2. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, further comprising at least one moveable component housed within the receiver and constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding, the at least one movable component being selected from the group consisting of a hammer, a trigger, a firing pin, a barrel catch, and an extractor.

3. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, further comprising a sight mount constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding, the sight mount being attached to the top of the barrel by screws that extend into the barrel.

4. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, wherein the breech block is pivotally connected with a barrel catch to form a slide-in unitary breech block and barrel catch assembly, the receiver being formed by die cast, the receiver being sized and shaped to receive the slide-in unitary breech block and barrel catch assembly.

5. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, wherein the receiver houses a firing mechanism, the firing mechanism including a firing pin and firing pin spring clamped between the receiver and the breech block.

6. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, wherein the barrel is connected to the receiver by a barrel tang that is bolted to the barrel and is pivotable with respect to the receiver and stationary with respect to the barrel.

7. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 6, wherein a pivot pin connects the barrel tang with the receiver by extending through transverse holes in both the receiver and the barrel tang, the barrel being void of a direct connection to the receiver.

8. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 6, wherein the upper interior surfaces of the die cast receiver being machined to provide interference flats that complement flats formed on a barrel tang to enhance engagement of the barrel catch with the barrel tang.

9. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, the receiver being constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of being formed from a base metal that is die cast, being formed of a thermoset plastic, and being formed of a fiber-resin composite.

10. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, wherein the powdered metal used to construct the breechblock being a steel powder.

11. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, the breech block being connected with the receiver with a breech bolt extending from the breech portion of the receiver into the breech bock.

12. The single-shot break action firearm according to claim 1, wherein the breech block pivotally supporting a barrel catch for retaining the barrel in a closed position, the barrel catch being void of any pivotal connections to the receiver.

13. A receiver defining a cavity being sized and shaped to house a breechblock therein, the breechblock being constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding, the breechblock being constructed of a higher strength material than the receiver to contain explosive forces produced during discharge of the firearm.