Ordnance – Gun handles
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-28
2001-07-10
Johnson, Stephen M. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Gun handles
C089S001400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257114
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to firearms, and, more particularly, to a firing lever mechanism for use with an automatic firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Firing levers in some prior art automatic firearms are rigidly connected to a bolt assembly, protrude on the outside of the weapon, and accompany the movement of the bolt assembly during each loading process. The protrusion of the firing lever from the weapon is disadvantageous because it creates a serious hazard that the firing lever will catch on a camouflage net, or on a branch or the like. Such catching would contribute to load impairment.
Another type of prior art firing lever, known from DE 196 13 987, has a rest position in which it lies in the center of the weapon above and parallel to the barrel. Only during loading, (i.e., during movement of the bolt by the hand of a shooter), is the firing lever clicked out laterally to the left or right from the bolt assembly (depending on whether the shooter is right-handed or lefthanded) so that it can be easily grasped. Upon release by the shooter, the firing lever clicks forward into its rest position.
However, in order to permit a shooter wearing thick gloves, mittens or the like to grasp the lever, the type of firing lever disclosed in DE 196 13 987 must be exposed on the top of the weapon. Although the risk of collision with foreign objects is indeed reduced by this approach, the possibility still exists. If the shooter is under cover and quickly pulls the weapon up during a flashback, the firing lever can easily hang up on a branch and, thus, cause a loading disorder. Furthermore, due to their design, many weapons cannot employ a top mounted firing lever which is freely accessible from above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a firing lever mechanism is provided for use with a firearm. The firing lever mechanism includes a slide disposed for reciprocating movement between a distal position and a proximal position. The slide has a locked position between the distal position and the proximal position. The firing lever mechanism also includes a first spring that biases the slide toward the distal position, and a firing lever that is mounted for pivoting movement between a rest position and an operating position. In the rest position, the firing lever is disposed in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the firearm. In the operating position, the firing lever is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the firearm to facilitate grasping of the firing lever. If, when the firing lever is in the rest position, the firing lever is pivoted through a first predefined angle in a direction away from the operating position, the slide is released from the locked position. The first spring then moves the slide toward the distal position thereby pivoting the lever toward the operating position.
In some embodiments, the firing lever mechanism also includes a locking lever mounted for pivoting movement. The locking lever cooperates with the slide to define the locked position of the slide. The firing lever cooperates with the locking lever to release the slide from the locked position when the firing lever is pivoted through the predefined angle. In some embodiments, the locking lever has a stop pin located at a first end, and the slide has a lock recess located to engage the stop pin when the slide is in the locked position. In some embodiments, the slide defines a contact edge, and the locking lever includes a spring pin at a second end opposite the first end. The first spring engages the spring pin to bias the stop pin of the locking lever against the contact edge of the slide when the slide is in its distal position.
In some embodiments, the slide defines a recess and the spring pin is disposed for movement within the recess. The recess is sized so that, upon retraction of the slide toward the proximal position, the locking lever pivots until the stop pin is positioned to engage the lock recess of the slide when the slide moves toward the distal position.
In some preferred embodiments, the firing lever is adapted for release from the rest position without requiring grasping thereof. Also in some preferred embodiments, the firing lever acts as a pressable trigger for releasing the firing lever.
In some embodiments, the firing lever mechanism is further provided with a second spring and a control plate that cooperates with the second spring and the slide. In such embodiments, a rotational force is applied in a first direction to the firing lever when the slide moves from the locked position to the distal position. A rotational force is applied to the firing lever in a second direction opposite the first direction when the slide moves from the distal position toward the proximal position. In some embodiments, the second spring comprises a double arm spring.
In some embodiments, the first spring comprises a dual action spring simultaneously biasing the slide in a first direction and biasing the locking lever in a second direction different from the first direction. In such embodiments, the first spring may comprise a substantially coiled section for applying a force in the first direction, and a substantially straight section for applying a force in the second direction.
In some embodiments, the firing lever defines a longitudinally running hole, and the firing lever is pivotally mounted on a post cooperating with a bolt assembly. In such embodiments, when the firing lever is in the operating position, it can be moved relative to the post and into contact with a counterstop defined on the bolt assembly.
In some embodiments, the firing lever is located on a first side of the firearm when it is in the operating position. In some such embodiments, the firing lever can be adapted to pivot to a second side of the firearm opposite the first side when it is in the operating position by reversing an orientation of the slide.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a firing lever mechanism for use with a firearm is provided. The firing lever mechanism includes a slide disposed substantially within the firearm for reciprocating movement between a distal position and a proximal position. The slide has a locked position between the distal position and the proximal position. The firing lever mechanism also includes a first spring that biases the slide toward the distal position, and a locking lever that is disposed substantially within the firearm for pivoting motion. The locking lever has a first end and a second end. The first end cooperates with the slide to define the locked position. The firing lever mechanism is further provided with a firing lever mounted on the firearm for pivoting movement between a rest position and an operating position. When it is in the rest position, the firing lever is disposed in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the firearm. When it is in the operating position, the firing lever is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the firearm to facilitate grasping of the firing lever. Additionally, the firing lever mechanism includes a second spring mounted substantially within the firearm, and a control plate cooperating with the second spring and the slide. A rotational force is applied in a first direction to the firing lever when the slide moves from the locked position to the distal position. A rotational force is applied to the firing lever in a second direction opposite the first direction when the slide moves from the distal position toward the proximal position.
In some embodiments, if, when the firing lever is in the rest position, the firing lever is pivoted through a first predefined angle in a direction away from the operating position, the first end of the locking lever is disengaged from the slide to thereby release the slide from the locked position. In such embodiments, the first spring then moves the slide toward the distal position and the control plate pivots the firing lever in the first direction toward the operating position.
Heckler & Koch GmbH
Johnson Stephen M.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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