Patent Grant
7469496
The present invention generally relates to extractors for handheld firearms, and more particularly, to apparatus, devices, systems and methods for extracting and ejecting cartridges and spent cartridge cases.
There has been considerable prior art for cartridge ejection mechanisms, and the prior art dates back to mid-20th century times, with cartridge or spent cartridge case ejection mechanism of various structures and configurations. In the discussion below, the terms “cartridge case”, “spent cartridge case” and “case”, are used interchangeably, to mean the metal casing or holder, usually cylindrical in shape, that is loaded with a primer, powder charge, and bullet.
Cartridge cases drop at random to the ground or surface beneath or beside the firearm and in the course of ejection are liable to soil the clothing of the user or of onlookers nearby since they become fouled by reason of the explosive gases emitted upon firing. The random ejection of spent cartridge cases can be very disturbing or even injurious to someone standing close to the shooter when the gun is fired as the case is expelled from the gun with considerable violence.
When a shooter is standing close to a wall for protection of his or her body while operating a firearm, the shooter can be injured or burned when the spent cartridge case is randomly ejected from the firearm and ricochets from the nearby wall used as a shield.
The ejection and spill of empty cartridge cases on to the floor of aircraft and ships can create hazards, for example, the empty cases could become ingested into the aircraft engine or trigger slip and fall injuries to persons moving over the floor in the heat of battle. The spent cases also have some value as scrap material and it is economical to collect as many as possible for subsequent reuse and/or sale.
The known prior art includes several patents discussed below. U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,904 to C. A. Perry, has a breech block with an extractor that engages the cartridge case, extracts the empty cartridge, then exposes the cartridge through an ejection aperture below the barrel of a firearm. U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,289 to L. L. Wilcox describes an unloading attachment for rifles wherein an unloading tube acts as a guide way for cartridges. U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,126 to R. S. Robinson describes a cartridge guiding mechanism that guides the cartridge through an exit groove.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,387 to V. A. Browning describes a case catcher for firearms that moves rearward after firing wherein, the spent case is extracted from the firing chamber and drawn laterally before being ejected via an opening. U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,617 to R. V. Seymour et al. describes a case catcher attached to the reciprocal bolt of a firearm and is readily attached to existing firearms.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,728 to Kuslich describes a case catcher with parallel arms for repeating firearms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,042 Isola describes a cartridge retriever mounting and attaching device for a Colt M-16 rifle that is fitted on top of rifle with lugs. U.S. Statutory Invention Registration H211 to Vanderbeck discloses an extractor hook-feed ramp combination wherein the spent cartridge case spins around a pivot formed by the extraction hook.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,016 to D. E. Smith describes a self-loading pistol with an insertable mechanism for extracting empty cartridge cases. U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,724 to Breuer et al. describes dual claws fastened to the ends of L-shaped ejection levers used to remove empty cartridge cases from large caliber guns. U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,924 to Predazzer describes an ejection device for a firearm having an automatic or manual cycle using an extractor that catches the casing by its neck with an ejection lever mounted in a swiveling manner around an axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,002 to Blanchet describes a claw type device with a detachable container for receiving and collecting spent cases ejected from a firearm having a spent case ejection port. U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0235543 A1 to J. Murello describes a cartridge ejection mechanism with guide rods and pivoting extractors in a bolt head attached to the breech block of a firearm. U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,725 to Denuit provides an improvement to the Predazzer '924 patent supra to make sure the extractor exposes the casing when it is tilted.
These patents disclose the respective art in relation to ejecting cartridge cases from firearms, but do not disclose an easy to manufacture, spring-loaded, dual pivoting extractor with ejection chute on top of a firearm that safely extracts an empty cartridge case and does not interfere with the shooter's sight line.
The disclosed invention, which shall be subsequently described in greater detail, provides a new device designed to improve the functioning of a bull pup rifle with a forward cartridge case ejecting system. The design and precision with which the dual pivoting extractors of the present invention are made contribute to many advantages over the prior art. The new and novel features include, but are not limited to, the efficient arrangement of a spring-loaded bolt carrier attached to a breech block having dual pivoting extractor arms that extract, pivot and release a cartridge or an empty cartridge case into an ejection chute. The design and function of the apparatus of the present invention has not been suggested, anticipated or even rendered obvious by any of the prior art references.
The first objective of the present invention is to provide a cartridge remover and methods that pull a cartridge or an empty case from a firearm and directs it to an ejector chute.
The second objective of the present invention is to provide a dual pivoting extractor and methods that pull a cartridge or an empty case from a firearm, raise or pivot the case upward while carrying the cartridge or spent case safely to an exit point on top of the firearm.
The third objective of the present invention is to provide a permanently attached device or system to the breech block of a firearm that extracts and ejects a cartridge or cartridge case in a safe manner without interfering with the shooter's line of sight.
The fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a permanently attached device or system to the breech block of a firearm that extracts and ejects a cartridge or cartridge case in a safe manner without injury to the shooter or persons in close range to the shooter.
The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a permanently attached device or system to the breech block of a firearm that extracts and ejects a cartridge or cartridge case in a safe manner when the firearm is being operated in close quarters, such as, against a wall or behind a shield.
The sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a dual pivoting extractor or method that disposes of a cartridge or empty cartridge case to the side of the firearm.
A preferred apparatus for ejecting cartridges or spent cartridge cases from firearms, includes a rifle having a trigger and a magazine holding ammunition, an extractor with a pivoting arm having one end that grips a rear end of a cartridge case, the pivoting extractor arm raising and lowering a spent cartridge case relative to the rifle, and an ejector for ejecting the spent cartridge case into an exit from the firearm.
The preferred extractor apparatus of the present invention has a pair of pivoting arms with ends that grip about the rear end of a spent cartridge case. The ends that grip about the rear end of the spent cartridge case have a lower catch area that grips the spent cartridge case when the pivoting arm is moving in a rearward position and the ejector, which includes an upper catch area that releases the spent cartridge case as the pivoting arm cams down from a pivoted position into an exit portal. The preferred extractor further includes an ejector impact surface that pushes the released cartridge down or through the exit portal.
The preferred exit portal includes a chute on the rifle that allows the spent cartridge case to eject forward and to one side of the rifle or another preferred exit portal includes an attached flexible, fireproof container to receive and collect the spent cartridge case ejected forward and to one side of the rifle.
A more preferred extractor of the present invention includes a slideable carriage for supporting the pivoting arm, wherein the slideable cartridge moves the grabbed spent cartridge case in a horizontal direction relative to the rifle. The pivoting extractor arms cam up the spent cartridge case to an acute angle in line with the exit portal on the firearm. The preferred pivoting extractor arms release the spent cartridge case into an ejection chute and cam down to grip about the rear end of a new cartridge.
The more preferred extractor apparatus of the present invention further includes a spring-loaded bolt carrier extension, which is activated manually by a handle or activated automatically by a gas piston.
A preferred method for extracting and ejecting a cartridge or a spent cartridge case from a firearm includes providing a rifle having a trigger and a magazine holding ammunition, attaching an extractor with a pivoting extractor arm having one end that grips a rear end of a cartridge case, the pivoting arm raising and lowering a spent cartridge case relative to the rifle, releasing the spent cartridge case into an exit portal on the firearm, and pushing the released spent cartridge case into the exit portal thereby safely removing the spent cartridge case on the side of the firearm and out of the sight line.
The preferred extractor/ejection method includes a pair of pivoting arms, the pivoting arms having ends that grip about the rear end of the spent cartridge case. The ends that grip about the rear end of the spent cartridge case have a lower catch area that grips and extracts the spent cartridge case when the pivoting arm is moving in a rearward position and ejects the spent cartridge case when an upper catch area of the pivoting arm releases the spent cartridge case as the pivoting arm cams down from a pivoted position into an exit portal. The ejector further includes an ejector impact surface that pushes the case down and through the exit portal.
The preferred method has an exit portal that includes a chute on the rifle that receives and allows the spent cartridge case to eject forward and to one side of the rifle. Another preferred exit portal includes an attached flexible, fireproof container to receive and collect the spent cartridge case ejected forward and to one side of the rifle.
The preferred method of extracting and ejecting cartridges or cartridge cases further includes a slideable carriage for supporting the pivoting arm, wherein the slideable carriage moves the grabbed spent cartridge case in a horizontal direction relative to the rifle.
The preferred method also includes pivoting extractor arms that cam up the spent cartridge case to an acute angle in line with the exit portal on the firearm. The pivoting extractor arms release the spent cartridge case into an ejection chute and cam down to grip about the rear end of a new cartridge.
The preferred method further includes a spring-loaded bolt carrier extension that is manually activated by a handle or automatically activated by a gas piston.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying flow chart and drawings.
Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustration only, and not limitation:
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
It would be useful to discuss the meanings of some words used herein and their applications before discussing the cartridge or spent cartridge case extractor of the present invention and method of using the same. A cartridge that has not been fired can be extracted and ejected using the present invention and it is understood to be within the scope of the invention.
“Ammunition” and “cartridge” are used interchangeably to mean a cylindrical, usually metal casing containing the primer and powder charge or bullet for a firearm.
“Cartridge remover,” “cartridge case extractor,” “extractor arms” and “extractor” are used interchangeably to mean a device for withdrawing a cartridge or spent cartridge case from the chamber of the barrel of a firearm. The device holds onto the rim of the ammunition, extracts and ejects the empty casing when cycling after a shot has been fired.
“Firearm” is used herein to refer to all weapons to which an extractor can be attached, such as bolt action, lever-action, semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons. A preferred weapon for attaching the present invention is the bull pup rifle.
The directional terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” “forward,” “rear,” “rearward,” “right,” “left” refer to the firearm when held in the normal firing position.
Listed below are the components of the dual pivoting extractor assembly shown in
In general, the operation of the cartridge case ejector of the present invention includes the use of a pivoting extractor, preferably, dual pivoting extractors with gripping ends that hold the rear end of the cartridge case while the ejection device moves rearward on a slideable breech block carriage, propelled backward by applying force to a spring-loaded assembly bolt carrier extension.
The extraction/ejection cycle described below is applicable to a cartridge or spent cartridge case; however, the description is as if the weapon has been fired and a spent cartridge case is left in the barrel chamber.
In an extraction/ejection cycle, single or dual pivoting extractor grabs the rear rim of a cartridge before the firearm is fired; the extractor holds on to the spent case left in the chamber; the extractor moves the spent case backwards on a horizontal plane relative to the rifle barrel while pivoting to lift or cam up the spent cartridge case at an angle; the magazine exposes a new cartridge; the pivoting extractor moves forward on the sliding breech block; the pivoting extractor cams down and exposes the spent cartridge case into a chute or exit portal on top of the rifle; simultaneously, the front end of the breech block pushes a new cartridge into the barrel of the firearm and the bolt carrier pushes the spent cartridge case into an exit portal on the firearm. The preferred exit portal is a curved chute on top of the rifle.
The cycle of gripping, rearward movement, raising or pivoting, moving forward and releasing a cartridge or spent cartridge case into an ejection chute takes about 1/10 of a second and is automatic, continuous and safe for any user of the cartridge case ejection device of the present invention.
The cartridge case extractor assembly of the present invention consists of four distinct, carefully machined, and easy to manufacture parts, which are, the bolt carrier of the extractor, the breech block of the extractor, the spring-loaded bolt carrier extension, and the extractor chute.
Bolt carrier extension 20 may have an attached lever or handle 40 located at the forward end that is used to manually retract the bolt carrier extension to cause the backward movement of the extractor. It is also possible to install a gas piston in the forward housing 45 of the bolt carrier extension 20 that operates in conjunction with the firing of the weapon and generates a force sufficient to fully recoil the bolt carrier extension 20 with the attached cartridge case extractor. A set of spring rods 23 and 24 have springs held in place by screws 25 on one end with the opposite end permanently attached to an anchor plate 26 that hold the spring rods in parallel alignment. The spring rods 23 and 24 are mounted on a welded plate inside the cartridge extractor bolt carrier extension 20 at a distance that is approximately 8.5 inches from the distal end of bolt carrier extension 20. The spring rods 23 and 24 function as parallel spring-loaded rails that provide the force to move the extractor forward from the fully recoiled position.
Also shown in
The bolt carrier 10 of the extractor assembly is attached to the breech block 110 with a transverse retaining pin 17 that extends through holes in the left and right rear end of the bolt carrier 10 and through a transverse longitudinal L-shaped slot 120 in the breech block 110. The L-shaped slot 120 is designed to assist in the action of raising and lowering the pivoting arms. Bolt carrier 10 further includes right front cam surface 11 that functions together with left front cam surface 12 (shown in
Also shown in
It should be noted that the design and fitting of each part of the extractor assembly is done with precision so that each groove, orifice, curved surface and angled piece is functional in gripping, pivoting, starting and stopping rearward and forward movement, including the frontal protrusion 15 on the bolt carrier 10 for pushing an empty case 500 down the ejection chute 30 or other acceptable exit portal on top of the firearm.
Another acceptable exit portal can include, but is not limited to, a deflector or guide at the point where forward movement of the extractor ceases, that allows the extracted case or cartridge to exit an opening in the extractor bolt carrier extension that is enclosed by an empty case collector for firearm as disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,002 to Blanchet, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Limits on the upward movement of the case 500 are provided by the extractor bolt carrier extension 20, the right front cam surface 11 and the left front cam surface 12 (not shown). The extractor assembly is at the most rearward position from the ejection chute 30. Note the ejection chute bolt carrier extension 20 in its attached position.
After firing the weapon, an empty cartridge case is left in the barrel of the firearm. Force one can be a manual pull on a lever attached to the extractor bolt carrier extension or the action of a gas piston installed in the forward housing 45 that will impact the forward end of the bolt carrier extension. This force moves the extractor assembly rearward while the dual pivoting extractor pulls the empty case out of the chamber.
The dual extractor on the slideable breech block moves rearward over the curved inner surface of the receiver and raises or cams up the empty case at an acute angle in alignment with an ejection chute positioned on top of the barrel of the firearm. In this rearward position, a new cartridge is exposed in the magazine.
Force two that moves the assembly towards the chute is the spring-loaded arrangement in the extractor bolt carrier extension. The slideable breech block moves forward, contacts the rear of a new cartridge and pushes the cartridge toward the barrel while the dual extractors hold the empty cartridge case in a pivoted position. The empty cartridge case comes in contact with the entrance to the ejection chute and the force of the contact (Force three) moves the case from the lower catch area of the pivoting extractor to the upper catch area of the pivoting extractor. Then, the space between the extractor bolt carrier extension and the entrance to the ejection chute forces the cartridge to move laterally in a horizontal position.
At the end of the forward movement of the extractor assembly, the breech block chambers a new cartridge into the barrel of the firearm and the dual pivoting extractor releases the cartridge case into the ejection chute before it cams down to grip the rear end of a new cartridge. As the pivoting extractor arms cam down, force four, the ejector impact surface, pushes the cartridge case, so that the case safely exits the ejection chute that is curved to the side of the firearm. This is the end of the cycle, which is completed in less than approximately 0.1 of a second.
Disclosed herein is a device designed to improve the functioning of a firearm, such as, a bull pup rifle, with a forward cartridge or spent cartridge-case ejecting system by providing a simpler, more condensed mechanism. Four distinct, carefully machined parts function to safely and reliably extract and eject cartridges or empty cartridge cases in a manner that does not injure or interfere with the shooter's line of sight.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2465553 | Robinson, Jr. | Mar 1949 | A |
| 2476904 | Perry | Jul 1949 | A |
| 2603019 | Elkas | Jul 1952 | A |
| 2603020 | Hussey | Jul 1952 | A |
| 2803908 | Raley | Aug 1957 | A |
| 2866289 | Wilcox | Dec 1958 | A |
| 3000126 | Robinson | Sep 1961 | A |
| 3087387 | Browning | Apr 1963 | A |
| 3270617 | Seymour et al. | Sep 1966 | A |
| 3733728 | Kuslich | May 1973 | A |
| 4265042 | Isola | May 1981 | A |
| 4553469 | Atchisson | Nov 1985 | A |
| 4920678 | Brown | May 1990 | A |
| 5024016 | Smith | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5046275 | Brown | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5307724 | Breuer et al. | May 1994 | A |
| 5675924 | Predazzer | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5934002 | Blanchet | Aug 1999 | A |
| 6389725 | Denuit | May 2002 | B1 |
| 20050235543 | Murello | Oct 2005 | A1 |
