Foldable Firearm |
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申请号 | US12420019 | 申请日 | 2009-04-07 | 公开(公告)号 | US20090277066A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2009-11-12 |
申请人 | Eric C. Burt; Richard M. Fitzpatrick; Michael T. Mayberry; | 发明人 | Eric C. Burt; Richard M. Fitzpatrick; Michael T. Mayberry; | ||||
摘要 | The present invention is a spring-biased folding firearm that stows compactly and safely. The firearm has three main components: a stock, a receiver and a grip/magazine combination. In folding, the stock folds over the receiver, sandwiching the grip/magazine between the components. When folded, the magazine over-inserts into the grip housing, allowing the stock to clear and providing additional safety when stowed by isolating the ammunition feed. A buttplate latches over the open joint to contain the unit and further secure it. When stowed, the bolt is disengaged from the ammunition feed supply, preventing accidental firing, so a loaded round can be safely carried in the chamber—allowing for immediate use of the firearm upon opening. The weapon is deployed through single-handed actuation and is spring-assisted into firing position. Currently the firearm uses readily available aftermarket parts for easier replacement if necessary and does contain hardware for mounting accessories. | ||||||
权利要求 | What is claimed is: |
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说明书全文 | This Application is a non-provisional perfection of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/043,114, filed Apr. 7, 2008 and claims priority on the same, the prior application being incorporated by reference, in its entirety, herein. The present invention relates to the field of firearms and more particularly relates to a firearm that folds into a compact storage mode while capable of deploying rapidly. Folding firearms are known in the prior art. Folding firearms are to be distinguished from weapons where a mere component, like a butt stock, folds over the weapon. Rather folding firearms are those that fold over themselves into a compact storage package. Prior folding firearms are noted for being manually deployed, and therefore prohibitively slow in a surprise situation. They also typically feature an out-of-profile single hinge which inhibits streamlining design. The present invention is a folding firearm that is spring loaded for rapid, single-handed, deployment and utilizes a number of components readily available for repair or replacement. The present invention also features, among other things, a combined charging/deployment handle, a closed-bolt action which allows for safe carry of a loaded round as it is disengaged from the ammunition feed when stowed, and a hinged back plate that also serves as a cheek rest. For purposes of this Application, the term “single-handed” shall mean that the weapon may be opened using the same hand in which it is held. Prior art folding weapons required the user to hold the weapon in one hand and either operate the unfolding mechanism, and/or actually unfold the weapon, with the other. The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the folding firearm of the present invention allows for compact and safe storage while simultaneously providing rapid, single-handed, ready deployment. In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of folding firearms, this invention provides a rapidly deployed folding firearm. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved folding firearm that is spring loaded when stowed and rapidly deploys in a fire ready configuration. To accomplish these objectives, the folding firearm comprises three main body components: a grip/magazine housing, a stock component and a receiver, containing the trigger assembly and action. Additional minor components, such as spring loaded opening assist and charging handle/latch assembly are utilized to add functionality. A folding buttplate serves to cover the joint of the weapon when folded, hold the weapon together and becomes a cheek plate when the weapon is deployed. The weapon may be made to utilize current aftermarket parts, specifically from the GLOCK line of firearms, to aid in part replacement availability. The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the folding firearm is 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. The following reference numerals are used throughout this specification to denote the following parts of the firearm:
With reference to In unfolding, the charging handle 27 is actuated, releasing the spur 28 from stock 21. This then unleashes the springs 24 biasing the receiver 14 and stock 21, thereby causing the weapon to deploy. While deploying, the magazine 20 extends from the grip 18 and allows for interaction between the magazine 20 and receiver 14, while the trigger mechanism 16 and trigger guard 17 unfold. A fore end grip 15 is positioned towards the underside of the fore end of the receiver 14 and is spring biased to deploy. When folded, the magazine 20 and grip 18 are folded over the fore end grip 15. While deploying, the fore end grip 15 actually pushes the magazine 16 and grip 14 out and assists their deployment. When finished deploying, back plate 23 engages notch 22 and grip latch 19 engages the receiver 14. In so doing, these items lock the firearm in deployed position until the user desires to stow it. As can be seen in The firearm according to the present invention utilizes currently available aftermarket parts and more particularly utilizes GLOCK parts and mechanisms, including the upper receiver, slide 31, recoil guide rod 36 and spring 37, trigger bar 34 and firing mechanism 35. The casing materials are molded reinforced polymer for light weight, added strength and durability. A detachable handle 12 is also included ( The steps of deploying the weapon (
The steps in stowing the weapon are as follows:
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. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. |