The present invention relates generally to firearms and, in particular, to a shotgun with an improved shell loading, feed, and ejection system.
Various types of arrangements are used for storing, feeding and ejecting shells into and from the chamber of a shotgun. Typical shotguns have tubular-shaped magazines mounted below the barrel which hold the shells in an end-to-end relationship. The shells are typically biased to feed the shell into the chamber during a pump action or some auto-loading feed mechanism. Once the shell is loaded into the chamber the chamber or breech is closed and the shotgun is ready to be fired using a trigger-actuated fire control mechanism. After firing, the spent shells are ejected through an external port from the re-opened chamber or breech. The next shell in the magazine may then be loaded into the chamber. However, an improved shell feeding, firing, and ejection system is desired.
The present invention provides a unique ammunition shell feeding system, firing system, and shell ejection system for a shotgun.
The improved shotgun provides a top loading configuration having the magazine positioned above the barrel. A top loading port works with a load gate to allow shells to be manually inserted into the magazine. The shells are biased by a spring-loaded element disposed in the magazine which biases the shells towards the chamber.
In one embodiment, a shell feeding system for a top loading shotgun includes a barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway, a receiver supporting the barrel, and an elongated magazine positioned above the barrel and extending axially forward from the receiver. The magazine includes an axially extending cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship; the shells each having a head and diametrically enlarged rim. A top loading port is provided for loading shells into the magazine. After the shell stop and interrupter release the shell from the magazine, the load gate mechanism guides the shell downward into the central portion of the receiver. Once in the receiver, the bolt assembly pushes the shell forward from the central portion of the receiver into or towards the barrel.
A method for loading ammunition into a top loading shotgun is provided. The method includes: providing a shotgun including a receiver having load gate, a locking block, a barrel coupled to the receiver, and a magazine having a tubular body configured to hold a stack of shells arranged in end-to-end relationship, the magazine arranged above the barrel and having a spring-biased follower for urging the stack rearwards toward an open end of the magazine; loading a shell into the magazine in a horizontal position, the shell having a head defining a leading end and a case defining; a trailing end; feeding the shell with the leading end first from the magazine rearward into an entrance portion of the load gate in the receiver; pushing the shell downwards into a first angled position, the leading end being lower than the trailing end; moving the shell from the entrance portion into a central portion of the receiver, while the shell interrupter prevents the following shell from being pushed down into the central portion; the load gate pushes the shell into a horizontal position; the load gate moving the shell downwards into a lower portion of the receiver, and the bolt pushing the shell into the barrel.
The present invention includes a locking block which works to lock the bolt from moving in a rearward direction when the lock is engaged. Upon the locking block being moved, through the operation rods or op rods, the bolt is unlocked and allowed to move in a rearward position. The bolt is designed to engage the load gate to raise the load gate allowing a shell, biased towards the load gate, to load into the chamber. The bolt has additional design elements enabling the load gate to lower the shell into the chamber. Once the shell is loaded into the chamber, the load gate is in a closed position allowing the bolt to move the shell into the chamber or a fire ready position for the striker to fire the shell. In the present invention, the load gate is biased to provide a force or bias on the shells in a downward direction to push shells into the receiver for the bolt to load the shell into the chamber. In contrast, typical load gates on known shotguns bias in a lifting or upward direction.
Another aspect of the present invention is the load gate and bolt assembly. Specifically, that the bolt is designed with ramps, grooves, or alignment paths to engage load gate protrusions or legs. These legs move along the bolt ramps or paths to force the load gate to raise or lower as the bolt moves. The bolt has front and rear ramps and may have one or more ramps on the front and rear of the bolt. Thus, the present invention provides a load gate that is moved, or its position is modified in related to the position of the bolt.
Another aspect of the present invention is the locking block design which is designed as part of the receiver. This unique locking block design allows the locking block to work independently of the bolt and is acted upon by the op rod to unlock the locking block. The locking block travels in a vertical movement as it moves from an unlocked to a locked position as facilitated by operating rods. As the op rods engage a lower portion of the locking block, the locking block moves in an upward direction to unlock the bolt. The locking block has nothing above the block to engage. Spring tension in a downward bias the locks the locking block into place.
The present invention also provides a striker fired shotgun. A striker tray is configured to interact with the bolt to lock the striker to the bolt. The striker tray of the present invention provides or is configured as a bottom guide mounted or connected to the bottom of the bolt rather than a typical rear guide. The tray retains the striker, preventing it from going too far back or moving down.
In one embodiment, barrel length and ammo length can be separate to allow for the modularity of the barrel. This allows for the extension of range of the projectile and the maximization of ammo held.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a shotgun, the shotgun comprising: a barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway; a receiver supporting the barrel; an elongated magazine positioned above the barrel and extending axially forward from the receiver; the magazine including an axially extending cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship, the shells each having a head and diametrically enlarged rim; a top loading port for loading shells into the magazine; a bolt with at least one guide path, wherein the at least one guide path has at least one design; a load gate having at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion moves along the at least one guide path causing the load gate to open and close based on the at least one design in the path; and wherein as the bolt moves in a first direction the load gate rises to allow a shell from the magazine to enter the receiver. The design of the guide path may be a descending ramp or an ascending ramp. The design of the guide path may include both a descending ramp and an ascending ramp. The bolt may have a first guide path and a second guide path. Further, the load gate may have a first protrusion for moving along the first guide path and a second protrusion for moving along the second guide path. The shotgun may further comprise a locking block for preventing movement of the bolt in the first direction when locked. The locking block may be unlocked by an operation rod. Further, the shotgun may include a striker for striking a shell in the chamber or barrel.
In an additional embodiment, the present invention provides a shotgun comprising: a barrel defining a longitudinal axis and an axially extending bore forming a projectile pathway; a receiver supporting the barrel; an elongated magazine positioned above the barrel and extending axially forward from the receiver; the magazine including an axially extending cavity configured to receive a plurality of ammunition shells in stacked end-to-end relationship, the shells each having a head and diametrically enlarged rim; a top loading port for loading shells into the magazine; a bolt having a first guide path and a second guide path, wherein the first guide path and the second guide path each have an ascending ramp and each have a descending ramp; a load gate having a first protrusion and a second protrusion on a lower portion of the load gate, wherein the first protrusion moves along the first guide path and the second protrusion moves along the second guide path; wherein as the bolt moves in a first direction the load gate rises as the first protrusion and second protrusion ascend up the ascending ramps to allow a shell from the magazine to enter the receiver and the load gate closes as the first protrusion and second protrusion descend down the descending ramps. The shotgun may include a locking block for preventing movement of the bolt in a first or rearward direction when locked. The locking block can be unlocked by an operation rod. The shotgun may further include a striker for striking a shell in the barrel.
The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements, and in which:
Hereinafter, aspects of the methods and associated systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention will be described. As used herein, any term in the singular may be interpreted to be in the plural, and alternatively, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular. It is appreciated that features of one embodiment as described herein may be used in conjunction with other embodiments. The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements.
The receiver 101 holds the shell stop and interrupter which controls the feed of ammunition into and out of the magazine tube 250. The load gate 102 facilitates the round being aligned in front of the bolt 130 (
In contrast, the load gate 102 of present invention uses a downward bias or push mechanism and the load gate 102 movement is directly related to the position of the bolt 130.
The load gate 102 has load gate rear shoulders on the rear of the load gate 102 to attach the load gate 102 to the locking block 105 by pin 108. The load gate 102 utilizes the load gate detent 103 and the load gate detent spring 104. The load gate detent 103 reduces friction and maintains a downward force on the load gate shelf. The load gate detent spring 104 applies force downward toward the load gate detent 103 and the load gate 102. The load gate 102 is secured to the receiver by the locking block pin 108. The locking block pin 108 also secures the locking block 105 to the receiver 101. The locking block 105 moves along a vertical track or direction relative to the bolt 130. The locking block 105 is biased or forced down into a bottom position to lock the bolt 130 from rearward travel and secure a round in battery. The locking block 105 has a lower portion 175 (see
In a standard or typical shotgun design the locking block is built into and operated by the bolt. In the present invention, the locking block 105 operates off of movement by the operation rod 231 (see
The load gate 102 works in combination with shell stop 113, which stops rearward travel of shells out of the magazine tube 250. The shell stop 113 has a shell stop spring 112 and a shell stop screw 114. The shell stop spring 112 puts downward force on the shell stop 113, and the shell stop screw 114 is pan head screw that secures the shell stop 113 and allows it to pivot up and allow ammunition to leave the magazine tube 250. The shell stop 113 utilizes the shell interrupter 110, which temporarily stops ammunition as it exits the magazine tube 250. The shell interrupter 110 has a shell interrupter spring 109 that puts inward pressure on the shell interrupter 110, forcing the shell stop 113 down and preventing the rearward travel of the ammunition. The shell interrupter 110 is secured to the receiver 101 by the interrupter pin 111 which not only secures the interrupter 110 but allows the shell interrupter 110 to pivot and release the shell stop 113.
The receiver 101 also holds bolt stop 115 for the bolt assembly 125 (
The receiver 101 has a left load wing 121 and a right load wing 122 at its base. The left load wing 121 and the right load wing 122 prevent ammunition from falling through the receiver and acts as a feed ramp while being flexible enough to allow an empty hull to pass through.
The bolt 130 interfaces with operation rods 231 of the barrel assembly 225 (
The bolt assembly 125 includes striker 135. The striker 135 is positioned inside the striker tray 134 which is located or adjacent to the bottom of the bolt 130. The striker tray 134 has a striker guide or recess which corresponds to a guide or recess in bolt 130. The striker 135 is biased by striker spring 136. The striker tray 134 holds the striker 135 in position in the bottom of the bolt 130 with two puzzle box pins 138. The striker tray 134 has a raised upper edge 334 that fits into a recess 330 of bolt 130 and is held in place by the two puzzle box pins 138 being placed in between striker tray indent 335 and bolt indent 331 which connect to form a cylindrical opening for the puzzle box pins 138 to go through. The puzzle box pins 138 fix the striker tray 134 to the bolt 130. In a typical gun with a striker, the striker is manipulated directly by slide or by a receiver, whereas in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the striker 135 is manipulated by movement of the bolt 130. The striker spring 136 is in place around the striker 135 and held in place by two striker spring cups 137 that keep forward tension on the striker 135 via the striker spring 136. The striker 135 interacts with the sear 155 and the trigger bar 157 of the trigger assembly 145 (see
The bolt assembly 125 further includes an ejector 139, which ejects the spent shells downwards after they are fired. The ejector 139 sits in a cavity of the bolt 130 and compresses the ejector spring 140. The ejector spring 140 sits in the cavity of the bolt 130 behind the ejector 139 to provide tension to the ejector 139. The ejector 130 and ejector pin 140 are held in place by the ejector pin 141. The ejector pin 141 passes through the bolt 130 and interfaces with the scallop cut on the ejector 139 to retain the ejector 139 and the ejector spring 140.
The sear 155 is set in the trigger guard 150 and held in place by sear pin 156 with upward tension on sear 155 being applied by the safety sear spring 154 which is also set in the trigger guard 150. The sear pin 156 acts as pivot for sear 155 as well as holding it in place in the trigger guard 150. The sear 155 interacts with striker 135 of the bolt assembly 125 (
The safety 161 is positioned in the trigger guard 150 and held in place by safety pin 165. The safety 161 has two positions: (1) fire; and (2) safe. The safety pin 165 is threaded into the trigger guard 150 and acts as guide and retains the trigger bar 157 and also guides and retains the safety 161. The safety 161 interacts with the sear 155 and the safety detent 162. The safety detent 162 interfaces in the groove of safety 161, and is under tension from the safety detent spring 163. The safety detent spring 163 puts lateral tension on the safety detent 162, and is held in place by the safety detent spring cap 164. The safety detent spring cap 164 threads into the trigger guard 150 and puts lateral pressure on the safety detent spring 163. The trigger guard 150 is affixed to receiver 101 by trigger guard retaining pins 166 (as shown in
The handguard 210 also houses the handguard latch 211 and shields the piston 230 (
The operation rod 231 is secured to the piston 230 by the operation rods retainer screws 232. The barrel 233 directs shot downrange, houses the gas block 234, which is either integral to or fixed to the barrel 233 by threading or welding to barrel 233 and redirects propellant gases rearward into piston 230. The barrel 233 serves as a guide for the piston 230. The barrel 233 threads into the receiver 101 and also serves a guide for recoil spring 235. The recoil spring 235 is compressed by the piston 230 during rearward travel dampening shock and slowing bolt 130 speed. The recoil spring's 235 main function is to return bolt 130 to forward most position.
The vent rib 251 is permanently attached to the top of the magazine tube 250 and serves as a sight plane. The follower 252 loads into front of the magazine tube 250 and interfaces with bolt stop arm 120 (
As seen in
In
The bolt 130 would then move forward again which would both chamber the shell and move the bolt 130 back into a locked position by the locking block 105 returning to its locking position (
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a one-piece extractor with duel engagement points or extractor claws. The duel engagement points are configured to allow the shell's primer striking the extractor and provide a more positive extraction of the spent shell from the chamber. Another aspect of the present invention is the load wings which may be made of a rigid material, a flexible solid material, or may be made of a metal and tensioned inward by a spring pressure.
While the foregoing description and drawings represent preferred or exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes as applicable described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.
This application is a continuation application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/427,784, filed on May 31, 2019, entitled “SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN WITH BOTTOM EJECTING PORT”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4821442 | Bock | Apr 1989 | A |
9400149 | Potter | Jul 2016 | B2 |
20200025499 | Berean | Jan 2020 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200378699 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16427784 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 16895243 | US |