Patent Grant
11137224
This invention relates generally to firearms, and more particularly to rifles and muzzleloading rifles in break action and bolt action configurations, and barrel extensions therefor. The invention further relates to different bolt action configurations for loading and unloading a bolt action rifle utilizing a non-rotating bolt with ejector and extraction mechanisms located on the bolt and accompanying receiver.
Like most early firearms, the first rifles were muzzleloading firearms, in which the projectile and the propellant charge are loaded from the muzzle of the gun (i.e., from the forward, open end of the gun's barrel). This is distinct from the more popular modem designs of breech loading firearms. There are generally three types of muzzleloading firearms: inline 209 primers and percussion, caplock, and flintlock muzzleloaders. Inline 209 primers and percussion muzzleloaders tend to look like most modem firearms. The inline and caplock muzzleloaders differ on where the percussion cap holding nipple is attached. In an inline muzzleloader, the percussion cap is in line with the hammer and the barrel. The inline has the nipple attached to the barrel at the breech and accessed by a bolt or break action. Also, the inline model has a removable breech plug to facilitate cleaning. Caplock rifles have a side-mounted firing pin similar to the flintlock rifle, and operate and load in much the same way, but use a more modem pre-loaded firing cap to fire the rifle. A flintlock style of muzzleloader dates back to the 17th century and features a flintlock mechanism that produces sparks when a piece of flint strikes its steel frizzen.
Loading a traditional black powder muzzleloader firearm generally involves a certain amount of complexity (as compared to the loading of modem firearms). For loose, granular powder such general steps include: a) making sure the rifle is not primed; b) making sure the rifle bore is clean of fouling and oil; c) setting a powder measure for a desired powder charge; d) pouring the powder into the measure and then into the muzzle end of the rifle; and e) using a ramrod, pressing the bullet, such as a patched round ball, past the rifling and down the bore until it contacts the powder charge.
The ammunition components generally used in muzzle loaded rifles has evolved from a projectile that is a round ball compressed in the muzzle end with a surrounding patch, to projectiles that have incorporated features of modem bullets. Within the latter category, bullet shaped projectiles can be further subdivided into those that are fired with a sabot or gas check (which replaces the patch), and projectiles that are lubricated slugs. A sabot is an encasing plastic cup that ensures the correct positioning of a projectile or shell in the barrel of a gun, attached either to the projectile or inside the barrel and falling away as it leaves the muzzle. The sabot prevents the escape of gas ahead of the projectile, eliminates the need for a lubricating means, and assures that there is a good seal between the projectile and the bore of the barrel.
Current muzzle loading ammunition comprises multiple parts that are combined together when loaded into a firearm. Because the various parts are separate, they are not sealed, and they use pyrotechnic materials such as black powder or black powder substitutes that tend to be hygroscopic (they tend to absorb moisture from their surroundings and in particular absorb water vapor from the atmosphere). As a result, their efficacy degrades over time, and the propellant and resultant combustion products tend to corrode the firearm barrel and chamber, and accuracy and reliability are compromised.
A complete round of ammunition consists of all the components necessary for one firing of the gun. In muzzleloading, these normally include a projectile, the propellant or busting charge, and a primer that ignites the propellant, and in breech loaded firearms, a case is required to house the powder, primer and projectile
For muzzleloading firearms, multiple ammunition components are loaded from the open muzzle end of the barrel. These multiple components include at least a propellant charge and projectile. The propellant charges comprise a predetermined amount of black powder, black powder substitutes, or smokeless gunpowder. The projectile typically comprises a bullet and a sabot. In some instances, the projectile and the propellant charge are inserted into the barrel as a unitary structure. Alternatively, the propellant charge is loaded separately from the projectile. In such instances, the propellant charge is loaded first into the barrel, followed by the sabot and the bullet.
Ammunition has evolved over the years, but some general terminology has remained constant, and the terms are used herein in their accepted fashion:
Loading or charging propellants into muzzleloading guns has long presented problems. The propellant, either black powder or a substitute thereof, is normally handled in granular form (grains), with each charge being determined by measuring out a selected weight or volume of the propellant from a bulk supply, delivering it to the muzzle end bore of the gun, placing a projectile in the bore, and seating the charge by ramrod into the breech. The charging of this propellant thus requires special tools and implements which must be carried to the field of use and kept readily available for re-loading. In addition, there is always the risk of improper measurement and spillage of loose powder. Other problems exist. It is difficult to obtain uniform powder compaction from load to load. It is difficult to re-load with speed and accuracy, and the use of smokeless powder, if not properly measured, could pose an additional hazard.
Other prior art muzzleloaders may see the propellant loaded into breech end of the rifle's barrel, instead of through the muzzle with the projectile. Such breech loading designs require further machining of the barrel itself, which may result in a reduced integrity of the barrel, require additional manufacturing steps, and may also require additional steps needed to install the barrel onto the rifle.
As an example, bolt action muzzleloaders are commonly loaded in the following manner: a) open the bolt; b) apply pre-measured propellant charge (powder) to the muzzle end of the barrel; c) insert the projectile into the muzzle end of the barrel; d) once the projectile is started down the muzzle end of the barrel, force the projectile all the way down the barrel with a ram rod; e) insert the primer into the breech end receiver; and f) close the bolt. This load/reload procedure is inefficient since the rifle has no mechanical means to feed the propellant charge directly into the breach, such as a magazine.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a muzzleloading firearm that receives a propellant charge directly within a specially designed barrel extension, which assist in removing the need for additional machining and manufacturing steps performed on the barrel itself, and thus increases the simplicity of tooling.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a muzzleloading bolt action firearm that allows for more efficient reloading of the propellant charge by way of interaction between a propellent charge magazine and a bolt.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a barrel extension for a muzzleloading rifle, comprising: a barrel extension breech end for receiving a propellant charge, and a barrel extension muzzle end forming an extended attachment structure for receiving a complementary attachment structure of a barrel; and a chamber disposed within the barrel extension having a first diameter at the barrel extension breech end and a narrowing portion adjacent the barrel extension muzzle end, opposite the barrel extension breech end, the narrowing portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; wherein the first diameter of the chamber is sized to receive the propellant charge therein, and the second diameter of the narrowing portion is sized to prevent the propellant charge from being further inserted past the narrowing portion.
The chamber may be integrally formed with the barrel extension, or formed within a bushing inserted into the barrel extension breech end. The bushing may be compress fitted within the chamber.
At least one sealing washer may be disposed at the barrel extension muzzle end, within an aperture formed by the extended attachment structure.
The barrel extension extended attachment structure includes threaded grooves, lug protrusions, or apertures to form an attachment structure with the barrel.
The barrel extension may further include the barrel extension breech end in mechanical communication with an extractor having an extractor projectile or protrusion, the extractor projectile or protrusion having an indentation or seating portion for receiving a rim of the propellant charge.
In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a muzzleloading firearm comprising: a rifle frame; a barrel having a barrel breech end with a first attachment structure and a barrel muzzle end, and a barrel lug, the barrel lug in rotational communication with the rifle frame, the barrel muzzle end for receiving a projectile; a barrel extension having a barrel extension breech end and a barrel extension muzzle end, the barrel extension muzzle end having a second attachment structure to receive the first attachment structure of the barrel breech end, and the barrel extension breech end having a chamber to receive a propellant charge, wherein the chamber extends through the barrel extension from the barrel extension breech end to the barrel extension muzzle end; and the chamber further including a first diameter at the barrel extension muzzle end smaller than a largest diameter of the projectile, such that loading the projectile into the barrel from the barrel extension breech end, or inserting the projectile into the chamber from the barrel muzzle end is physically prohibited, and the chamber including a second diameter at the barrel extension breech end for receiving the propellant charge, the first diameter being smaller than a largest diameter of the propellant charge, such that the propellant charge is physically prohibited from entering the barrel through the chamber.
The muzzleloading firearm may include an extractor having an extractor protrusion at one end, the extractor protrusion formed to receive a portion of a rim of the propellant charge and disposed directly adjacent to and underneath the barrel extension, the extractor in slideable engagement with respect to the barrel lug, the extractor and the barrel extension breech end forming a cavity to receive the rim of the propellant charge.
The barrel lug is disposed directly adjacent to and underneath the extractor, such that the extractor slides back and forth between a retracted position that allows for full reception of the propellant charge into the barrel extension, and an extended position for extracting the propellant charge.
The muzzleloading firearm may be a break-open action firearm.
The rifle frame includes a recess shaped for receiving an end portion of a propellant charge when the break-open action firearm is rotated to a closed, firing position. The recess includes an angled portion for allowing sufficient clearance for the end portion of the propellant charge.
In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a bolt action rifle comprising: a rifle frame receiver; a barrel centered about a longitudinal axis having a barrel breech end with a first attachment structure and a barrel muzzle end, the barrel muzzle end for receiving a projectile; a barrel extension having a barrel extension breech end and a barrel extension muzzle end, the barrel extension muzzle end having a second attachment structure to receive the first attachment structure of the barrel breech end, and the barrel extension breech end having a chamber to receive a propellant charge, wherein the chamber extends through the barrel extension from the barrel extension breech end to the barrel extension muzzle end; the chamber further including a first diameter at the barrel extension muzzle end smaller than a largest diameter of the projectile, such that loading the projectile into the barrel from the barrel extension breech end, or inserting the projectile into the chamber from the barrel muzzle end is physically prohibited, and the chamber including a second diameter at the barrel extension breech end for receiving the propellant charge, the first diameter being smaller than a largest diameter of the propellant charge, such that the propellant charge is physically prohibited from entering the barrel through the chamber; a rotatable, slideable bolt supported by the rifle frame receiver, the bolt centered about the longitudinal axis, and adjacent the barrel extension breech end, the bolt having a first end with a handle and a second end with a bolt head, such that the bolt may be rotated, pulled, and pushed along the longitudinal axis via the handle, the bolt head proximate the barrel extension breech end; and a firing pin disposed within the bolt head extending from an axial center of the bolt head and in alignment with the longitudinal axis when in a firing configuration to engage a primer on a propellant charge, such that the firing pin moves between a normal/disengaged position where a tip of the firing pin is fully receded back into the bolt head, and a firing/engaged position where the tip of the firing pin is pushed forward towards the primer.
The bolt action rifle may include a magazine for holding the plurality of propellant charges, the magazine releasably attachable to, and disposed underneath, the rifle frame receiver, the magazine having a spring-loaded base for applying a constant insertion force on the propellant charges into the rifle frame receiver.
A primer recess or cavity is presented within the bolt head, the recess or cavity disposed on a face of the bolt head proximate the barrel extension, the primer recess having an aperture therein for receiving the tip of the firing pin, and secures a primer of a propellant charge once the propellant charge is fully loaded into the barrel extension.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a bolt action rifle comprising: a rifle frame receiver; a barrel centered about a longitudinal axis having a barrel breech end with a first attachment structure and a barrel muzzle end, the barrel muzzle end for receiving a projectile; a barrel extension having a barrel extension breech end and a barrel extension muzzle end, the barrel extension muzzle end having a second attachment structure to receive the first attachment structure of the barrel breech end, and the barrel extension breech end having a chamber to receive a propellant charge, wherein the chamber extends through the barrel extension from the barrel extension breech end to the barrel extension muzzle end; the chamber further including a first diameter at the barrel extension muzzle end smaller than a largest diameter of the projectile, such that loading the projectile into the barrel from the barrel extension breech end, or inserting the projectile into the chamber from the barrel muzzle end is physically prohibited, and the chamber including a second diameter at the barrel extension breech end for receiving the propellant charge, the first diameter being smaller than a largest diameter of the propellant charge, such that the propellant charge is physically prohibited from entering the barrel through the chamber; and a slideable bolt assembly supported by the rifle frame receiver, and adjacent the barrel extension breech end, the bolt assembly having a rotatable handle in mechanical communication with a bolt, the bolt having at one end a bolt head with a bolt face, the bolt head proximate the barrel extension breech end, the bolt situated along or parallel with the longitudinal axis, wherein the handle is rotated and the bolt is pulled and/or pushed along the longitudinal axis.
The bolt action rifle includes a firing pin disposed within the bolt head extending from an axial center of the bolt head and in alignment with the longitudinal axis when in a firing configuration to engage a primer on a propellant charge, such that the firing pin moves between a normal/disengaged position where a tip of the firing pin is fully receded back into the bolt head, and a firing/engaged position where the tip of the firing pin is pushed forward towards the primer.
In at least one embodiment, the bolt does not rotate when the bolt handle is rotated.
The barrel extension includes a gap or notch on its breech end and an extractor in mechanical communication with the bolt, the gap or notch receiving the extractor when the extractor is pushed towards the barrel extension, the extractor being pulled and/or pushed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis along with the bolt via the handle, but not rotated.
The bolt may include an ejector component biased towards the barrel extension breech end in a direction perpendicular to the bolt face, and parallel with the longitudinal axis.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of loading a muzzleloading rifle, comprising: providing a propellant charge including a propellant charge case with a propellant disposed therein, a rim, a primer, and a cap end; providing a projectile separate from the propellant charge and having a projectile diameter; providing a barrel having a length, a longitudinal axis, a barrel breech end with a barrel attachment structure, and a barrel muzzle end for receiving the projectile; providing a barrel extension along the longitudinal axis, the barrel extension further having a barrel extension breech end, a barrel extension muzzle end with a barrel extension attachment structure, the barrel extension attachment structure complementary to the barrel attachment structure, the barrel extension having a chamber therethrough such that on the barrel extension breech end the chamber receives the propellant charge, the chamber having a narrowing section exposed on the barrel extension muzzle end, the narrowing section having a diameter less than that of the projectile diameter, such that the barrel breech end is received in the barrel extension muzzle end, the barrel and the barrel extension being coaxial about the longitudinal axis, and the barrel extension being removably attached to the barrel; providing a rifle frame; providing at least one sealing washer disposed between the barrel extension muzzle end and the barrel breech end; securing the barrel to the barrel extension with the at least one sealing washer therebetween; breaking open the rifle by rotating a barrel lug about the rifle frame to expose the chamber within the barrel extension; inserting the propellant charge into the barrel extension breech end within the barrel extension chamber such that the cap end of the propellant charge is inserted first, and the propellant charge rim sits at least partially flush with an edge of the barrel extension breech end to indicate full insertion into the chamber; closing the rifle by rotating the barrel lug with respect to the rifle frame; and pushing the projectile into the barrel muzzle end and through the length of the barrel until stopped from further movement by the barrel extension chamber narrowing section.
In a sixth aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of loading a muzzleloading bolt action rifle, comprising: providing at least one propellant charge having a rim, a cap, and a propellant disposed therein, and a projectile having a projectile diameter, such that the projectile is separate and distinct from the propellant charge; providing a barrel having a length, a longitudinal axis, a breech end, and a muzzle end, the muzzle end have a sufficient diameter size for receiving the projectile; providing a rifle frame supporting the barrel and a barrel extension thereon, and a receiver for supporting a bolt thereon; providing the barrel extension releasably attachable to the rifle frame on a barrel extension breech end, and releasably attachable to the barrel on a barrel extension muzzle end, such that the barrel and the barrel extension are coaxial, sharing the longitudinal axis, the barrel extension further having a chamber therethrough for receiving the at least one propellant charge, the chamber having a narrowing zone with a diameter less than that of the projectile diameter; providing a bolt assembly having a bolt and a bolt handle, the bolt centered about the longitudinal axis, supported by the receiver, and adjacent the barrel extension, the bolt having a first end with the bolt handle and a second end terminating with a bolt head, such that the bolt may be pulled and pushed along the longitudinal axis via the handle; pushing the projectile into the barrel muzzle end and through the length of the barrel until stopped from further movement by the narrowing zone; rotating the handle and pulling back the bolt via the handle to expose the barrel extension breech end and create a gap between the bolt head and barrel extension sized for fitting the at least one propellant charge; and using the bolt, via the bolt handle, to push the propellant charge into the barrel extension chamber, such that the cap end of the propellant charge is inserted first, and the bolt head stops adjacent to the barrel extension first end to indicate full insertion of the propellant charge into the chamber.
The method including providing a magazine for holding the at least one propellant charge, the magazine releasably attachable to, and disposed underneath, the rifle frame;
In a seventh aspect, the present invention is directed to a bolt action rifle having a bolt action assembly, the bolt action assembly comprising: a receiver; a bolt body in slideable communication with the receiver, the bolt body having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, the second diameter less than the first diameter, wherein the first and second bolt portions form a step at a junction where the first and second bolt portions meet, the bolt first portion having an exposed bolt face and an aperture for receiving a firing pin tip, the bolt second portion having an attachment mechanism on an end opposite the bolt face; a bolt lever attached to or integral with a bolt casing, wherein the bolt casing includes an annual ring portion insertable around and coaxial with the bolt second portion such that the bolt casing and bolt lever are rotatable about the bolt second portion without rotating the bolt second portion, and the bolt lever and bolt casing are in slideable communication with the bolt second portion and the receiver; a firing pin insertable within and in slideable communication with the bolt, the firing pin having the firing pin tip at an end proximate the bolt face; a resilient mechanism applying a bias force to the firing pin when the bolt lever and bolt casing are held forward in a closed, firing position, the bias force pushing the firing pin towards the bolt face; and a plug attached to the bolt second portion at the attachment mechanism, the plug providing a mechanical stop or the resilient mechanism.
The bolt first portion includes a slot or aperture for housing an extractor mechanism proximate the bolt face.
The extractor mechanism includes an extractor lever having a hook or protrusion on a first end, a second end opposite the first end in mechanical communication with a biasing resilient component, a protruding aperture situated between the first and second ends, and a pivot pin insertable within the bolt and the protruding aperture, the pivot pin allowing the extractor mechanism to pivot away from and towards the bolt.
The bolt first portion may include an ejector mechanism for dislodging a propellant charge from the bolt face after firing.
In one embodiment, the ejector mechanism includes a slot within the bolt first portion and an ejector slideable therein, such that the ejector is biased forward beyond the bolt face when the bolt first portion is pulled back in a direction opposite a muzzle end of the muzzleloading rifle.
In a second embodiment, the ejector mechanism includes an ejector pin located within an aperture accessible on the bolt face, the ejector pin biased forward in a direction beyond the bolt face by a resilient mechanism, and having an indentation for receiving a set pin such that the ejector pin slideable path towards and away from the bolt face is restricted by the set pin between the indentation.
The set pin is insertable within the bolt first portion in a direction perpendicular to the ejector pin motion.
The receiver may include an aperture through which propellant charges may be loaded or unloaded, and a slot to receive a bolt handle proximate the aperture, such that the bolt handle, by fitting into the slot, puts the bolt action in the CLOSED position, ready for firing.
The bolt action rifle may include a trigger housing having a rectangular aperture for receiving a magazine.
A magazine retainer mechanism may be provided which includes a magazine retaining lever, a biasing spring, and a pivot structure for biasing the magazine retaining lever towards the magazine. The magazine includes a slot for receiving a portion of the magazine retaining lever to secure the magazine.
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In describing the embodiment(s) of the present invention, reference will be made herein to
The unique design of this propellant charge 39 provides for greater shot consistency due to the pre-determined amount of propellant 43 provided within the propellant charge case 41, which also facilitates cleaning of the rifle.
Break Action Rifle
The barrel 20 is received by the barrel extension 21 via an attachment structure, such as complementary threads, protrusions, or apertures, and, for illustrative purposes, shown in the figures as a threaded connection between the barrel breech end and barrel extension muzzle end (shown as engaging threads 26 in
A sealing washer 25 is disposed between the barrel breech end 20a and barrel extension 21. As will be discussed in further detail below, sealing washer 25 sits on an annular base internal to the barrel extension proximate the breech-most extension of threads 26. The sealing washer ensures threaded connection 26 is not exposed to hot combustion gasses during firing, which could otherwise compromise the attachment structure between the barrel extension and the barrel.
This barrel/barrel extension combination is unique over the prior art muzzleloader designs in that the barrel extension 21 provides for a separate machined device, removes the barrel from additional manufacturing process steps, allows for the formation of a receiving chamber for a propellant charge, such that the receiving chamber is separate from the barrel, and receives barrel 20 in a sealing fashion that protects the attachment structure, here shown as a threaded connection. The barrel extension 21 of the present invention is adjacent the rifle frame, and connects with the barrel at the barrel breech end 20a, and serves as the accessible breech component in the break action rifle operation. Furthermore, in one embodiment, barrel extension 21 serves as an external component to this assembly, meaning the threaded end of extension 21 has a larger diameter for receiving the breech end 20a of the barrel 20 therein, with breech end 20a having a corresponding smaller diameter. Thus, the outside surface of barrel extension muzzle end 21b is exposed to the user after assembly. This is contrary to most designs, where barrel extensions generally act as an internal component, meaning the barrel has the larger diameter threaded end and receives internally the barrel extension (with a smaller diameter threaded end). The latter design, however, could not accommodate an internal chamber in the barrel extension with a constricted bore leading to the barrel.
The chamber structure for receiving a propellant charge of the present invention is unique over the prior art in that prior art rifles have their chamber located directly within the barrel instead of a barrel extension. The current design removes additional machining steps to the barrel, thus ensuring barrel integrity, and allows for attachment to the frame 12 without additional barrel modification; for example, the barrel lug may be attached to the barrel extension rather than the barrel itself. This advantage also provides for easier cleaning of the chamber. Chamber 22 receives the propellant charge 39, which has a primer responsive to a striker or firing pin; thus, there is no need for a separate breech plug in the current muzzleloader design. Furthermore, the dimensional design prevents re-loading of a new propellant charge 39 into chamber 22 when the chamber 22 has not been properly emptied between shots (for example, if cap end 47 separated from the propellant charge case 41 after firing and remained within the chamber after the expended propellant charge case was removed).
The barrel extension 21 and the chamber 22 internally formed therein are directly adjacent rifle frame 12 upon installation, and are coaxial with barrel 20 along longitudinal axis 60. Chamber 22 of barrel extension 21 has a narrowing or constriction section 23 proximate the portion of the chamber 22 nearest the barrel extension muzzle end 21b, where the barrel 20 seats within the barrel extension 21. This narrowing section 23 forms an annular collar that has a diameter smaller than the diameter of chamber 22, propellant charge 41, and projectile 45 (and, if utilized with the projectile, sabot 46). Sealing washer 25 is disposed between the breech end 20a of barrel 20, and the annular collar formed by constriction section 23 on barrel extension 21, and is seated adjacent to this narrowing, constriction section 23, outside of the chamber 22, where barrel 20 seats within barrel extension 21. The sealing washer 25 provides the unique benefit of preventing combustion gasses from entering the complementary threads 26 of the barrel and barrel extension during firing.
To load the break action rifle 10, projectile 45, and sabot 46 if used, are inserted into the barrel 20 from muzzle end 20b, and pushed towards the barrel breech end 20a via a ramrod (not shown). The projectile and sabot will traverse down barrel 20 and stop at the breech end 20a adjacent the narrowing or constriction section 23, due in part to the smaller diameter of narrowing section 23. The bottom edge of projectile 45 or sabot 46 faces the narrowing constriction section 23, and projectile 45 is exposed towards the muzzle end 20b of barrel 20. Projectile 45 and sabot 46 are coaxial, and in longitudinal alignment with axis 60.
Once projectile 45 and sabot 46 are loaded into the barrel 20, the rifle frame 12 and barrel extension 21 are separated by break action (i.e., a rotational arcing separation about rotation axle or pivot 50, as demonstrated in
In order to accommodate this rotational motion, a portion of rifle frame 12 includes a carved out, slot, or primer recess 28, which receives a rotational primer 44 extending from the breech end of the propellant charge case 41. A ramp section 24 of primer recess 28, adjacent to the first end 21a of the barrel extension 21, may be included to facilitate receiving the extension of primer 44 in a rotational fashion as the break open rifle is configured from the OPEN position to the CLOSED position. The primer recess 28 and accompanying ramp section 24 are configured to receive primer 44 which extends from the flush surface of rim 42 and at least a portion of barrel extension breech end 21a. The ramp 24 is situated to receive primer 44 as the loaded rifle is closed to prepare for firing.
When the rifle is first broken open to expose the breech end 21a of barrel extension 21, extractor 52 pushes slightly away from the barrel extension 21 in the breech end direction depicted by arrow 58b to an extended position, as shown in
Chamber Embodiments
Other embodiments of the chamber may be used with the break action or bolt action rifle embodiments of the present invention described above.
Bolt Action Rifle
The bolt action rifle, as opposed to a break open action, is generally considered a more robust design insomuch as all the essential elements are in-line. When a bolt handle is operated (rotated), the bolt is unlocked from the receiver and pulled rearward to open the breech allowing a spent cartridge case to be extracted and ejected, the firing pin within the bolt is cocked (either on opening or closing of the bolt depending on the gun design) and engages the sear, then upon the bolt being pushed back, a new cartridge (if available) is loaded into the chamber, and finally the breech is closed tight by the bolt re-locking against the receiver. Most of the bolt-action designs use a rotating-bolt (or “turn-pull”) design, which involves the shooter doing an upward “rotating” movement of the bolt handle to unlock the bolt from the breech and cock the firing pin, followed by a rearward “pull” to open the breech, extract the spent cartridge case, then reverse the whole process to chamber the next cartridge and relock the breech.
In a straight bolt action design, the manipulation required from the user in order to chamber and extract a cartridge predominantly consists of a linear motion only, as opposed to a traditional rotating-bolt action where the user has to manually rotate the bolt for chambering and primary extraction. Therefore, in a straight-pull action, the bolt can be cycled back and forward without rotating the handle.
Unlike a break open design, a bolt action configuration lends itself to possible inclusion of a magazine capable of containing several propellant charges, which facilitates the changing or reloading process. One detriment to introducing a bolt action to interact with the propellant charge described above is that the dimensions of the propellant charge require a bolt with large bolt lugs at the bolt head. This complicates the bolt head design, and forces the use of larger diameter components, which in turn compels the receiver to increase in size. Thus, in different embodiments, the present invention considers a design in which the diameters of the bolt and bolt head are close to the diameter of the propellant charge. In such a design, the position of the bolt lugs is altered. As will be discussed in further detail herein, bolt lugs are moved to the back of the bolt assembly, preferably on the bolt handle.
A muzzleloading bolt action rifle 100 is presented in
A trigger 18 is disposed beneath the receiver 14. A magazine 16 for holding propellant charge 39 is optionally disposed beneath, connected to, and supported by, the receiver 14 and situated forward trigger 18 in a direction closer to the muzzle end. A bolt assembly having a bolt 30 is disposed within the receiver 14 in longitudinal alignment with the barrel 120 and barrel extension 121.
Barrel 120 has a first or breech end 120a, and a second or muzzle end 120b for receiving the projectile as described above. Barrel extension 121 has a first or breech end 121a, and a second or muzzle end 121b for receiving the breech end 120a of the barrel 120. Barrel 120 and barrel extension 121 are connected preferably via a threaded connection, although other attachment structures and schemes are not prohibited. The barrel 120 and barrel extension 121 may be connected by other means, such as compression fit, welding, adhesive, lugs and grooves, and the like. A sealing washer may be disposed between the barrel extension 121 and barrel 120.
Barrel extension 121 has a chamber 122 disposed therein and traversing from the barrel extension breech end 120a to the barrel extension muzzle end 120b. At the point where the breech end of barrel 120 is firmly seated in barrel extension 121, the diameter of the chamber 122 is constricted and is smaller than the diameter of the chamber at the breech end 121a of barrel extension 121. In this regard, chamber 122 has a predetermined narrowing portion 123. The diameter of narrowing portion 123 is sized to prevent the propellant charge 39 from being pushed past this point (entering from breech end 121a), and to prevent projectiles 45 with or without sabots 46 from being inserted past the breech end 120a of barrel 120 and into the chamber 122 (entering initially from the barrel muzzle end).
In an embodiment for a bolt action rifle, the bolt assembly includes a bolt 30 with a bolt handle 34 disposed on a first end 30a of bolt 30, and a bolt head 32 disposed on a second end 30b of bolt 30, adjacent to the barrel extension 121.
A firing pin 36 is disposed at least partially within the bolt head 32, aligned along the axial center of the bolt head 32 and in longitudinal alignment with axis 60. Bolt head 32 further presents a primer recess 38 disposed on its face opening to the barrel extension 121. The base of primer recess 38 includes an aperture for allowing the tip of the firing pin 36 to move from within bolt 30 to a position extending into primer recess 38.
Primer recess 38 secures the primer 44 of the propellant charge 39 once it is fully loaded into the barrel extension 121. Firing pin 36 engages the primer 44 once the trigger 18 is activated to initiate the firing sequence. Firing pin 36 moves between a normal/disengaged position as shown in
A feature of the bolt action rifle 100 of the present invention is the ability for a user to eject an expended propellant charge 39 and chamber a new propellant charge 39 into the barrel extension chamber 122 using only the bolt assembly. Once a propellant charge 39 is expended and its corresponding bullet or projectile 45 has been fired, the user may pull back on the bolt 30 using the handle 34, which will effectuate an ejection of the expended propellant charge 39. At this point, a new projectile 45 and/or projectile/sabot 46 may be loaded into the barrel 120 through the barrel's muzzle end and via a ram rod (not shown). (As is typical of safety measures, it is anticipated that a user would load the bullet 45 into the barrel 120 first before loading a new propellant charge 39 into the chamber 122.) Once the expended propellant charge is fully discharged, if a magazine is utilized, a new propellant charge 39 is pushed up through the magazine 16 into a chamber aligned with the longitudinal axis 60 bolt 30, which may then be pushed forward again via the handle 34 to load the chamber 122 with the new propellant charge 39. A fully inserted propellant charge 39 will fill the chamber 122, and the rim 42 will sit flush within the recess of the bolt head 32 (as shown in
Barrel extension 121′ has a chamber 122′ disposed therein and expanding from its first end 120a′ to its second end 120b′. At the point where the barrel 120′ and barrel extension 121′ connect, the diameter of the chamber 122′ is reduced into a narrowing or constricted portion 123′. The diameter of narrowing portion 123′ is sized to prevent propellant charge 39 from being inserted past this portion (entering from the breech end 121a′) into the barrel breech end, and to prevent projectiles 45 with or without projectile/sabots 46 from being pushed past the barrel and into the chamber 122′ (entering from the barrel extension muzzle end 121b′).
The bolt assembly's bolt 30′ presents a handle at a first end and a bolt head 32′ at a muzzle end 30b′ of the bolt 30′ adjacent barrel extension 121′. A firing pin 36′ is disposed within the bolt head 32′ extending from the axial center of the bolt head 32′ and in longitudinal alignment with axis 60′. Bolt head 32′ is substantially flat on its face that is proximate to and contacts barrel extension 121′ when in firing configuration with the exception that an annular collar is formed by a primer recess 38′ indented within and disposed at the axial center of bolt head 32′. Primer recess 38′ has chamber 35′ for securing firing pin 36′. Chamber 35′ is formed with an aperture 37′ for securing the tip of the firing pin 36′, such that aperture 37′ extends to primer recess 38′, which secures primer 44 of the propellant charge 39 once fully loaded into the barrel extension 121′. Firing pin 36′ engages primer 44 when a trigger (not shown) is pulled to initiate the firing sequence. Firing pin 36′ moves between a normal/disengaged position where the head of the firing pin 36′ is fully receded back into chamber 35′ and aperture 37′ of bolt head 32′, and to a firing/engaged position where the head of firing pin 36′ is pushed forward towards propellant charge 41, into recess 38′ (and thus contacts primer 44 disposed therein).
The chambering of propellant charge 39 in this bolt action rifle 100′ is substantially similar to that described above in the prior embodiment. In this bolt action assembly 100′, however, a propellant charge 39 inserts completely within the chamber 122′ such that the rim 42 of the propellant charge 39 sits flush with the rear edge of the breech end 121a′ of barrel extension 121′. In this manner, only primer 44 extends into the bolt head 32′ primer recess cavity 38′.
In either bolt-action embodiment discussed above, the extraction of the propellant charge is challenging and difficult. In one instance, the rim of the propellant charge is exposed, but sits flush against the breech end of the barrel extension (see
The propellant charge identified herein was initially designed for break open firearms. The larger rear tab (rim diameter) of the propellant charge necessarily enlarges the width of the rifle. In a bolt action design, this would require a rifle size unsuitable for sporting activities. Moreover, the flush design of the propellant charge against the barrel (or barrel extension) requires some form of extraction to remove.
As noted previously, the propellant charge is designed to fit within a chamber. The propellant charge is fully inserted in a chamber such that there are no areas of the propellant charge exposed outside the chamber which would make the propellant charge vulnerable to expanding gas pressure. For this reason, an extractor 52 facilitates removal. The extractor rests firmly on the propellant charge rim 42.
The clearance of gap 138 leaves an area of propellant charge 39 inadmissibly exposed to external pressure, which upon firing would damage the propellant charge, especially given that most propellant charges comprise plastic cases prone to break under high pressure.
As depicted in
Generally, a bolt action firearm has the bolt and the bolt handle formed as an interlocking or one-piece design, such that rotation of the bolt handle simultaneously rotates the bolt.
Arrows 136 and 138 depict the different rotational directions of the bolt handle 134 and bolt 130, respectively. In this design, the lugs 131 situated on bolt head 130a extend radially outwards demonstratively more than the bolt diameter. This allows for locking the bolt upon loading. Referring to
As shown, given the size of the present propellant charge and its flush-mounted positioning, the diameter of the bolt, “D”, must be at least as large as or larger than the diameter “d” of rim 42. Furthermore, designs of a bolt action firearm capable of accommodating the present propellant charge must include a gap that exposes at least a portion of the propellant charge casing, and as shown in
Furthermore, due to the lack of bolt rotation in the two-piece bolt design of
Bolt body 201 is configured of a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
At one end of bolt 201 is an extractor assembly that aids in removing a spent propellant charge after firing. Extractor 207 is located proximate the bolt head 201c of bolt 201.
Aperture 207b receives holding pin 208, which secures extractor 207 to the bolt head, and allows for a pivot axis for the extractor to revolve about pin 208 under a resilient force applied to extractor end 207c by a resilient mechanism 209, such as a spring, which may also be internal to the bolt head 201c, as is depicted in
As depicted in
It is noted that a plurality of bolt lugs may be spaced equidistant on the bolt casing, extending radially outward from the bolt casing. In one embodiment, a single bolt lug presented by the bolt lever attachment is used alone.
The firing pin 204 is constructed with a rounded tip 204a to provide a striking hammer for the primer of the propellant charge. Opposite the rounded tip 204a is a threaded portion 204b. The firing pin 204 traverses the bolt longitudinally and includes a cylindrical midportion 204c around which is secured a resilient mechanism, such as a spring 206. At the rear or breech end of firing pin 204 is a firing pin safety indicator 204d, which is generally a visual marker, such as a slot which may also be colored for visual indication, and which serves as an indicator to let a user know that the rounded tip striking hammer 204a is loaded and ready to fire.
A threaded plug 205 holds the aforementioned components in place under the resilient force of spring 206. Threaded section 205a secures plug 205 to bolt section 201b. Plug 205 preferably includes a shaped hole or aperture at the back or breech end, preferably a hexagonally shaped hole or aperture, which can be tightened or loosened with the aid of a wrench. It also allows for firing pin safety indicator 204d to move forward and aft, and to be viewed.
Under bolt assembly 200 is the trigger housing assembly 300. Trigger housing assembly 300 defined herein is not essential to the bolt assembly design of the present invention, but is described generally to detail the interaction of bolt assembly 200 with a trigger assembly.
Trigger assembly 300 is enclosed in housing 312 and has a sear 313 with pin 303. Sear 312 revolves about pin 321 and includes a hooking tooth or segment 313a. Sear spring 315 allows the sear up and down motion towards and away from the receiver. Safety 314 has two positions, a shot position and a safe position. When the trigger is compressed by the user, moving it backwards towards the rifle breech end, the axis of rotation causes sear 313 to drop under pressure of firing pin 204 and spring 206 causing triggering. Trigger spring 316 is adjustable by a pressure regulating screw 317. A hitch adjusting screw 318 is situated at the lower end of trigger housing 312.
Extractor 407 is located within slot 413 of bolt 401. Extractor 407 is designed with an extended protrusion or hook 407a at one end for interaction with the propellant charge (not shown). A protruding aperture 407b is provided approximately midway between extended protrusion 407a and the opposing extractor end. Aperture 407b receives holding pin 408, which secures extractor 407 to the bolt head, and allows for a pivot axis for the extractor to revolve about pin 408 under a resilient force applied to the extractor end by a resilient mechanism 409, such as a spring. This configuration allows extractor 407 to rotate about pin 408, which in turn compresses or extends resilient mechanism 409. Extractor 407 is biased against bolt 401 by resilient mechanism 409.
A recoil lug 614 is situated between the receiver 610 and the barrel extension 602. Recoil lug 614 rests on the stock to withstand the forces of recoil when shooting. One attachment scheme to affix the receiver to the stock includes threaded holes 616 to receive fixing screws 618. Other attachment means are possible, and are not excluded for the present invention.
At the back of receiver 610, a slot 620 is presented for receiving a key 630 of firing pin 632, and an aperture 622 for receiving the sear. Threaded holes 624a,b are presented as a means for fixing the trigger housing to the receiver.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210055068 A1 | Feb 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 62889769 | Aug 2019 | US |
