EP3835705B1 - Bolt catch for a firearm - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a slide stop device for handguns, especially for firearms of the rifle type M4/M16/AR15, which can be adapted for use on both sides, in which a first slide stop lever is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the barrel axis, according to the preamble of claim 1 and the US 2018/0149438 A1 The invention further relates to a housing for receiving the slide catch.

The invention and its variants are not limited to rifles, carbines, etc., but can in principle also be used for pistols. Some embodiments and their effects/advantages are listed below.

The US 2018/0149438 A1 discloses a catch lever that is mounted so that it can rotate around a longitudinal axis, thus parallel to the barrel axis. When a lever is released around its axis during the magazine movement, it is rotated by the force of a spring (not shown) so that its projection presses on a projection of the slide catch, thereby pushing its retaining edge into the path of the bolt. To unlock, if this is not done by a new, loaded magazine, the user presses on the upper, ear-like extension of the catch lever. Release from the other side of the weapon is achieved via a push pin and an actuating rocker; it is noteworthy that manual catching from the "other" side is not possible. Conversion to a one-sided slide catch device is not mentioned and is not possible without a complete redesign.

The US 2015/0323271 A1 also discloses a first catch lever that is mounted so that it can rotate around a longitudinal axis, thus parallel to the barrel axis, against the force of a spring. Like a gear, a similarly designed second rotating lever with a "tooth" engages from the opposite side in a "gap" in the first toothed lever, which can thus also be rotated from the other side. The disadvantage is that the teeth are susceptible to dirt and the friction that occurs independently of this. A conversion to a one-sided slide catch device is not mentioned and would require some redesign.

The US2014/338243 A1 , the EN 100 08 979 A1 and the US$4,681,020 reveal bolt catches that are rotated around axes transverse to the barrel axis, normal to the weapon center plane, and are therefore constructed completely differently.

In general, locking catch devices can be designed as follows:
Bolt catch devices - hereinafter referred to simply as bolt catches - are very common in multi-shot weapons, especially self-loading weapons. In the context of this invention, a bolt is understood to be a slide or sliding piece that accommodates at least one bolt head. The bolt catch is primarily used to catch the bolt in a defined position and hold it open when it advances after the last cartridge has been fired. The bolt catch is usually controlled by a sensing projection or sensing finger through a defined edge, protrusion or the like on the magazine feeder when the latter protrudes at least partially from the top of the magazine after the last cartridge has been fired.

However, it may also be necessary for the shooter to manually prevent the bolt from advancing. This may be the case, for example, during disassembly or if the automatic firing process needs to be interrupted manually.

In the context of this application, the term "bolt" is often used in a simplified manner, whereby the bolt in the selected illustrations and description primarily describes the arrangement and characteristics of a sliding piece with a bolt head accommodated therein, as they can be used in a compatible manner with the M4/M16/AR15 rifle type. The loading and bolting process of such rifles is well known to those skilled in the art, which is why the process is only briefly described here.

The slide is moved forward in a known manner by the recoil spring when the bolt is closed, whereby the rotating bolt head is locked by means of locking lugs in the locking sleeve or directly in the barrel, while the reverse process takes place under tension of the recoil spring after the shot is fired. occurs automatically, or during manual loading by operating the cocking slide.

After the last shot has been fired, the bolt is automatically caught by the interaction of the follower and the spring-loaded bolt catch. After changing the magazine, the bolt catch actuating element, which is usually located on the left side of the housing, can be manually operated by the shooter, which releases the slide again and allows the bolting process to be completed.

In recent years, a large number of ambidextrous slide catches have been developed to ensure easy operation for both right- and left-handed shooters. US10197353B2 , US9958223B1 , US8231652B2 , and the US9810493 B2 which all have essentially the same basic shape and functionality of the "left" actuating element.

In the US10197353B2 The slide stop is operated on the right side by a right-hand actuating element, which uses a lever and a cam to translate the movement to the left-hand actuating element. To accommodate the right-hand actuating element, a specially designed recess, guide and bearing in the upper housing is required, which means that it is generally not possible to retrofit this slide stop in existing AR15 rifles.

A similar approach is used in the US8261652B2 in which the redirection of the right-hand actuation takes place via a fork-shaped holder for an extension of the left lever. This design essentially requires a housing that has been provided in advance in order to be able to accommodate the slide catch device in corresponding recesses.

Another approach is used in the US9958223B1 explained, in which a slide stop lever that can be operated from both sides is shown. The lever on the left side from the shooter's perspective has a recess in its middle section, which is designed to work together with an extension of the lever on the right side in the manner of a toggle lever. Two spring mechanisms and two separate lever axes are required, which makes retrofitting an existing AR rifle difficult and requires a lower housing designed for this purpose.

Last but not least, the US9810493 B2 a slide stop lever is disclosed which is suitable for operation from both sides and the two operating levers are integrally formed, so that the entire slide stop lever is one piece. The right and left side operation can be carried out around a common tilt axis. The use of such a slide stop lever requires a minor modification of the housing.

A number of multi-part slide catch arrangements are therefore known to the expert, all of which require a more or less difficult adaptation of the lower housing of an AR-type rifle in order to enable ambidextrous operation. In particular, it is often difficult to convert existing rifles to an ambidextrous slide catch. The expert is also aware of at least one one-part, ambidextrous slide catch, which also requires a minor modification of the lower housing in order to equip an existing weapon for ambidextrous operation of the slide catch.

However, in certain cases it may be necessary to provide a slide stop on both sides, such as during weapon exercises, training, etc., and then to adjust it to the needs of the shooter. In a specific case, this may also mean that the shooter does not want to operate the slide catch on the right after having used an ambidextrous slide catch for practice purposes. With the known slide catch devices, conversion is extremely time-consuming and in some cases not possible without the appropriate tools due to the arrangement of the slide catch levers. This means that adaptation of the slide catch lever may not be possible at all in the field of use. In addition, in the case of rifle housings that are specially designed for ambidextrous slide catches, an opening remains on at least one side of the housing when the rifle is converted back to a conventional, unilaterally operated slide catch. However, such openings are generally undesirable as they allow foreign bodies such as sand, dust and water to penetrate.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a slide stop device that is easy to manufacture and operate, which allows operation from both sides and can be easily converted back to a one-sided slide stop if necessary. A further object of the invention is that the slide stop device can be implemented in existing AR-15 housings with as little effort as possible. Furthermore, the object in one embodiment is to make it more difficult for unwanted foreign bodies to penetrate the housing. This object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. Further aspects relate to an adapted housing according to claim 10 and a firearm designed according to the invention according to claim 11.

Describing the essence of the invention in other words, the first slide catch lever has a central part for optionally receiving a second slide catch lever. This receptacle is formed laterally in the central part, running inwards in a transverse direction, i.e. essentially in the direction of the pivot axis. The receptacle is formed as an undercut.

A first slide catch lever designed in this way offers the advantage of temporarily attaching a second, optional slide catch lever, which can be easily inserted into the receptacle of the first slide catch lever. Due to the undercut, the second slide catch lever can be partially received by the first slide catch lever and received in such a way that the connecting section to be inserted does not protrude beyond the original dimensions of the middle part of the first slide catch lever when viewed in the direction of travel. This makes it possible to easily insert the first slide catch lever according to the invention into an existing housing of an AR-15 type rifle. If the second slide catch lever is to be mounted, all that is required is an opening in the slide catch receptacle of an existing housing on the "right-hand" housing wall - as viewed from the shooter. Such a transversely continuous slide catch receptacle is relatively easy to create mechanically, for example by milling or reaming, or in extreme cases even by means of a file. Ideally, a housing designed according to the invention is provided, as described later. Further possible embodiments of the slide stop device according to the invention offer corresponding possibilities for attaching the second, optional slide stop lever in an optimal position for the shooter and/or the possibility of mounting it in a way that is as secure against loss as possible.

Some other aspects deal with possible adjustments to the upper and/or lower housing, as well as the use of an optional plug to minimize the slide stop mechanism against the unwanted ingress of foreign bodies, in particular sand, dirt and dust, into the housing. These aspects concern, among other things, a housing for accommodating the slide stop, a grip, housing or stock with a recess for temporarily storing the unused second slide stop lever and/or a plug.

This

Aspects should be understood in summary as a means of reducing the penetration of foreign bodies.

Throughout the description and claims, "forward" or "forward" is used as the direction towards the muzzle of the barrel, "backward" as the direction towards the stock, "(downward)" is used as the direction for the bolt towards the magazine, and "(upward)" as the direction away from the magazine. The terms "weapon center plane", "barrel bore", "barrel axis", "bore axis", etc. have the usual meaning that the expert assigns to them in the state of the art. "Left" therefore refers to the weapon center plane, "from the left" corresponds to a movement, actuation, exertion of force in the direction of the weapon center plane, starting from a starting position "to the left" of it, etc. The bolt or the slide is therefore moved "backwards" under the effect of the gases after a shot has been fired and then moves "forwards" again under the effect of a recoil spring, etc.

• die Fig. 1 ein Untergehäuse mit darüber dargestellter Verschlussfangvorrichtung, sowie ein Obergehäuse in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung;
• die Fig. 2 einen Ausschnitt einer Schnittdarstellung durch die Waffenmittelebene mit einem Verschluss, der von der Verschlussfangvorrichtung gehalten wird;
• die Fig. 3 eine Querschnitt entlang der Linie III-III' in Fig. 2 mit der Verschlussfangvorrichtung in Ruheposition (a) bzw. in Aktivposition (b);
• die Fig. 4 eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung einer Verschlussfangvorrichtung in einer Ansicht von "vorne" (a) bzw. einer korrespondierenden Aufsicht (b);
• die Fig. 5 jeweils eine Ansicht von schräg "vorne" (a) bzw. schräg "hinten" (b) einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Verschlussfanghebels;
• die Fig. 6 jeweils eine Ansicht von schräg "vorne" (a) bzw. schräg "hinten" (b) einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Verschlussfanghebels;
• die Fig. 7 (a) bis (c) weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsformen eines ersten Verschlussfanghebels in einem Aufriss von "hinten" bzw. einer dazugehörigen Ansicht von schräg "hinten",
• die Fig. 8 eine Untersicht eines Obergehäuses (a), einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie VIII-VIII' der Fig. 8a, sowie ein Obergehäuse in einer Ansicht von schräg "unten" (c);
• die Fig. 9 ein Untergehäuse mit darüber dargestellter Verschlussfangvorrichtung und Stopfen, sowie ein Obergehäuse in einer perspektivischen Explosionsdarstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows, purely schematically:

• the Fig.1 a lower housing with the slide catch shown above it, as well as an upper housing in a perspective exploded view;
• the Fig.2 a detail of a sectional view through the weapon's center plane with a bolt held by the bolt catch;
• the Fig.3 a cross section along the line III-III' in Fig.2 with the slide catch in the rest position (a) or in the active position (b);
• the Fig.4 a schematic exploded view of a locking device in a view from the front (a) or a corresponding top view (b);
• the Fig.5 each a view from an oblique "front" (a) and an oblique "rear" (b) of a first embodiment of a slide stop lever;
• the Fig.6 each a view from the front (a) and from the rear (b) of a second embodiment of a slide stop lever;
• the Fig. 7 (a) to (c) further exemplary embodiments of a first slide stop lever in an elevation from the "rear" or a corresponding view from an angle from the "rear",
• the Fig.8 a bottom view of an upper housing (a), a cross-section along the line VIII-VIII' of the Fig. 8a , as well as an upper housing in a view from below (c);
• the Fig.9 a lower housing with the bolt catch and plug shown above, as well as an upper housing in a perspective exploded view.

In the context of the invention, a slide stop device which is suitable for arrangement in a firearm, preferably an AR-15 type rifle, is designated with "15" and is simply referred to below as a slide stop.

In the figures of the drawings, an attempt was made to designate everything relating to the housing 1 with "1n", and analogously with "2n" for the first slide stop lever according to the invention, with "3n" for the second slide stop lever, "4n" for the sliding piece, "5n" for the housing-fixed coordinate system for orientation.

In Fig.1 The schematic exploded view shows a two-part housing 1, in which a magazine (not shown) can be accommodated in the lower housing 11 in a magazine slot 13 provided for this purpose. Furthermore, a magazine holder receptacle 141 is shown in the lower housing 11, in which a magazine holder 14 can be installed - in a known manner. Above the magazine holder receptacle 141, the slide catch receptacle 151 for the slide catch 15 can be seen, as well as excellently designed extensions on the side of the lower housing 11 for receiving a pivot pin 17. This is inserted into the extensions in order to fix the slide catch 15 in the direction of travel 51 along the pivot axis 21 in a manner that can be deflected within certain limits.

Furthermore, Fig.1 It can be seen that the first slide stop lever 2 has a receptacle with an undercut in order to accommodate a second slide stop lever 3 by inserting it along an insertion axis 37 if necessary.

In the installed state, the first slide stop lever 2 protrudes at least partially from the housing 1 in the transverse direction 52 to the left, as can be seen in a view with Fig.3 becomes clear. In Fig.1 Furthermore, a useful measure according to the invention for protection against unintentional actuation and/or getting caught on the first slide stop lever 2, or its upper and/or lower lever arm 22 or 27, is shown in the form of a slide stop border 152. This border 152 is designed to protrude from the upper housing 12 and thus forms a kind of lateral limitation of the upper lever arm 22 when installed.

In a preferred variant, this slide stop border 152 is designed to protrude from the upper housing 12 at the same height as the upper lever arm 22 in the resting state (cf. Fig. 3a ) protrudes from the upper housing 12. In other words, these two elements 152 and 22 are essentially at the same level with respect to the upper housing 12.

In another particularly preferred variant, the border 152 essentially has an "H-shape", which means that the border 152 can not only be designed to protect the upper lever arm 22 downwards in the vertical direction 53, but can also be designed upwards, creating a shaded area. This area can be used, for example, to attach a number, such as a registration code, a weapon number or even a logo, and is largely protected against mechanical abrasion by the border.

The functional principle of the slide stop 15 is shown schematically in Fig.2 , a section through the weapon's center plane, showing a section with a sliding piece 4. The sliding piece 4 is blocked on the bolt head 41 in a known manner by the bolt catch 15 or its locking extension 28 when advancing. A gas key 42 can also be seen on the sliding piece 4, which is shown only for orientation purposes.

A closer look at the Fig.2 in conjunction with Figs. 3a ,b It becomes clear that the slide catch 15 according to the invention requires only one pivot axis 21 and is held in its rest position ( Fig. 3a ) is held. If the lower lever arm 27 on the first slide stop lever 2 is manually operated or the second lever arm 31 is manually deflected upwards, or if the previously explained deflection of the sensing finger 29 ( Fig. 5a ) on the locking extension 28 by the feeder of a magazine after the last cartridge, the first bolt catch lever 2 is rotated about the pivot axis 21 against the preload force of the spring mechanism 18 into the active position ( Fig.3b ) is tilted. A closer look at the Figs. 3a and b It can be seen that the tilting is limited by the stop of the lower lever arm 27 on the lower housing 12.

There are various possibilities for the design of the slide catch 15 according to the invention, some of which are mentioned here as examples and in particular refer to a summary of the Figs. 4 to 7 As in Figs. 4 and 5 As can be seen, the first and second slide catch levers 2, 3 are coordinated with one another in such a way that a positive connection is possible. The middle part 23 of the first slide catch lever 2 has a receptacle 24 which is preferably at least partially open to the rear. This receptacle 24 is designed in the form of a groove and has an undercut. The shape of the undercut is adapted to the shape of the corresponding connecting section 32 and can be designed, for example, as a dovetail profile, L-shaped or T-shaped. The second slide catch lever 3 intended for insertion into the middle part 23 has a correspondingly complementary connecting section 32 in order to form a positive connection, at least in the area of the receptacle 24, after insertion into the first slide catch lever 2. This connection is preferably designed to be detachable, i.e. coupleable, which enables simple dismantling from a slide catch 15 that can be operated from both sides to one side.

How to Figs. 4 , 5 and 6 As can be easily seen when looking at the whole, it is possible to form at least one web 34 protruding laterally on the connecting section 32, which engages in the undercut of the receptacle 24. The formation of the connecting section 32 takes place mutatis mutandis to the previously described formation of the receptacle 24. In this way, a rotation of the second slide catch lever 3 about the vertical direction 53 or also about the insertion axis 37 can be avoided and a possible jamming of the slide catch 15 in the slide catch receptacle 151 can be prevented.

In Fig. 5 and 6 are a first and second slide stop lever 2, 3 in oblique views from the front ( Fig. 5a, 6a,b ) or rear ( Fig. 5b ). It can be clearly seen that the first slide stop lever 2, as is usual in the prior art, has a larger upper lever arm 22 and a slightly smaller lower lever arm 27. The common pivot axis 21 is usually designed as a through hole and can have a pivot pin 17, or dowel pin or the like On the middle part 23, a locking extension 28 is formed at the front, i.e. in the installation situation in the direction of travel 51, which blocks the movement of the sliding piece 4 forwards when the first slide stop lever 2 is tilted upwards (cf. Fig.2 ). A sensing finger 29 is formed on the locking extension 28, which interacts in a known manner with the feeder of the magazine.

A further preferred embodiment is in Fig. 5a and b , according to which the receptacle 24 has a catch 25 which serves to engage a catch extension 35 of the second slide catch lever 3. As can be seen from Fig.6 a and b, it is advantageous if the connecting section 32 has a slightly offset end section 33. This end section 33 can have a smaller material thickness in at least one spatial direction than in the transition area of the connecting section 32 to the lever arm 31 and does not have to have a web 34, which enables elastic deformation and/or deflection of the end section 33 relative to the insertion axis 37. The end section 33 can have a latching extension 35 which can snap or latch into a latch 25. In Fig. 4a It can also be seen that the transition to the end section 33 is designed smoothly in the form of a taper 36, which promotes the mechanical stability of the slide catch 15.

In Figs. 7a -c some possible embodiments of first slide catch levers 2 are shown schematically, all of which have a receptacle 24. It can be seen that the three variants have different directions or insertion angles 38 of the insertion axis 37 relative to the lower edge of the middle part 23. It is basically possible for the insertion axis 37 to run parallel to the lower edge of the middle part 23, which corresponds to an insertion angle 38 of 0°. It is also possible to provide a very steep insertion angle 38 of up to 60°, whereby the arrangement of the coupling point between the catch 25 and the locking extension 35 can be better accessed from above under certain circumstances. However, it has proven to be advantageous that the insertion axis 37 of the second slide catch lever 3 is formed at an insertion angle 38 of 5 to 45°, preferably 10 to 30°, relative to the lower edge of the first slide catch lever 2 or its central part 23, viewed in the installation situation in the transverse direction 52.

In conjunction with Figs. 3 and 4 a it becomes clear that, depending on the desired position of the second lever arm 31 protruding from the housing 1 on the right-hand side, the shape of the second slide stop lever 3 and/or the insertion angle 37 can be optimally coordinated with one another. In addition, the positioning of the detachable connection, in particular the locking connection, can be selected accordingly in order to make it accessible without removing the first slide stop lever 2.

In a variant shown as an example, the second lever arm 31 is angled relative to the insertion axis 37 of the first slide catch lever 2 in at least one spatial direction (see Fig. 4b ) and cranked (see Fig. 4a ). The angled section of the second lever arm 31 points to the rear in the installation situation, while the section of the second lever arm 31 which is bent downwards in the vertical direction 53 relative to the insertion axis is formed adjacent to the connecting section 32, as can be seen very well in the overview of the Fig.6 and Fig.4 It is therefore easy for the expert to optimally design the position and shape of the second lever arm 31 in the vertical direction 53 and/or the barrel direction 51 according to the geometric conditions of the weapon, without impairing the function of the slide stop 15. This can serve to improve the accessibility of the right-hand second lever arm 31 for the shooter.

It can also be advantageous that the cranking and/or angling of the second slide catch lever 3, or its second lever arm 31, relative to the insertion axis 37 is provided in such a way as to prevent the second slide catch lever 3 from striking the upper housing 12 in the active position. This connection is clearly shown in Fig. 3b in conjunction with Fig.8 clear where the upper edge of the lower housing 11 coincides with the lower edge of the upper housing 12 in the installation situation and the slide stop 15 can swing upwards unhindered until the left, lower lever arm 27 strikes the housing 1.

In some embodiments, such as Fig. 7a shown, it is intended that the receptacle 24 is also open to the rear in the direction of the pivot axis 21 at the middle part 23. From the corresponding oblique view, the position of the catch 25. This embodiment is easy to manufacture and the locking extension 35 is easily accessible from the outside for decoupling.

The exemplary variants in Fig. 7 b and c have a locking opening 26 instead of a recess for forming the locking 25, as is also the case in the example in Fig. 5a ,b can be seen very clearly. Such a locking opening 26 at the end of the holder 24 closest to the pivot axis 21 is designed to penetrate the middle part 23 in the running direction 51. This offers the advantage that the middle part 23 has a mechanically stable support area despite the holder 24 introduced and at the same time the locking element 35 can be released by actuation from the front through the locking opening 26.

Furthermore, the different angular position of the insertion axis 37 to the lower edge of the middle part 23 of the Fig. 7b and c can be easily recognized. The previously described options for optimizing the position of the second lever arm 31 apply.

As explained at the beginning, a further task is to prevent foreign bodies from penetrating the housing as far as possible. If a lower housing 11 of an existing rifle is adapted for use with a slide stop 15 according to the invention, only one opening in the transverse direction 52 to the right needs to be created for the slide stop receptacle 151. It is easy to imagine that if only the first slide stop lever 2 is used, this opening remains and the penetration of foreign bodies is thus encouraged.

This problem can be solved in several ways, which can be used individually or in combination. As in Fig.8 As shown, it is possible to use an upper housing 12 which has a cover extension 16 on its inside in the area of the slide catch receptacle 151. This cover extension 16 is designed to protrude far enough into the interior of the upper housing 12 that it does not hinder the movement of the slide 4 or the first slide catch lever 2. Furthermore, contact between the cartridges of a filled magazine should also be avoided. This situation can be very well avoided in Fig. 8b which, in conjunction with Fig. 3b shows that the slide stop 15 moves freely to the left into the active position can pivot, but the cover extension 16 in the rest position of the slide stop 15 significantly minimizes the gap between the upper housing 12 and the middle part 23 or locking extension 28 of the first slide stop lever 2. In this way, the penetration of foreign bodies can be efficiently reduced.

In a special embodiment, a plug 153 is provided, which serves to temporarily close the right-hand opening of the slide catch receptacle 151. As the Fig.9 As can be clearly seen, it is thus possible to close the slide stop receiver 151 on the right side if only the first slide stop lever 2 is used.

Particularly preferably, the slide catch receptacle 151 is shaped on the right-hand side in the end region to accommodate the plug 153 and prevent it from accidentally falling out. This can, as in Fig.9 shown, eg by means of retaining grooves 154, into which the plug 153 can be "inserted" or "introduced". In the example shown, the plug 153 is designed in such a way that it can be inserted from above into the lower housing 11 or into the corresponding retaining grooves 154. After the weapon has been assembled with the plug 153, an improved sealing of the housing 1 is thus possible, although a slide stop 15 that can be operated from one side is used.

Such a plug 153 can be made of metal or, preferably, of an elastically deformable polymer, which particularly promotes sealing.

Due to the relatively small dimensions of the second slide catch lever 3 and/or the plug 153, the components mentioned can be "temporarily stored" in a recess provided for this purpose in the housing 1 or also in a shaft or handle (not shown). The recess in the housing can have a shape like the lateral opening area of the slide catch receptacle 151 with retaining grooves 154 in order to accommodate the plug 153, for example. It is also possible to provide that the recess has a shape similar to the receptacle 24 of the first slide catch lever 2 in order to temporarily accommodate the second slide catch lever 3. In this way, a conversion from double-sided to one-sided bolt catch 15, or vice versa, can be carried out relatively quickly since the required components always remain on the man or the rifle. In addition, such a mount serves to prevent rattling caused by loose parts.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the embodiments shown were chosen as schematic and/or exemplary representations and that it is easily possible for the person skilled in the art to transfer the relationships according to the invention to embodiments not explicitly shown, which is why these implicitly disclosed embodiments are to be read silently both in the description of the figures and in the claims.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed and shown, but can be modified and designed in various ways. In particular, adaptation to the weapon in question is possible within wide limits with knowledge of the invention, and combinations of individual design features can also be provided. As an example, the possibility of the "continuous" design of the holder 24 in accordance with the Fig. 7a with a locking opening according to the Fig. 7c to combine.

In the description and claims, the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom" and so on are used in their common form and with reference to the object in its usual position of use. This means that in a weapon the muzzle of the barrel is "front", that the bolt or slide is moved "back" by the explosion gases, etc.

It should also be noted that in the description and the claims, statements such as "lower area" of an object means the lower half and in particular the lower quarter of the total height, "lowest area" means the lowest quarter and in particular an even smaller part; while "middle area" means the middle third of the total height (width - length). All these statements have their common meaning, applied to the intended position of the object in question and apply equally to "rear area", etc.

In the description and claims, "substantially" means a deviation of up to 10% of the stated value, if it is physically possible, both upwards and downwards, otherwise only in the reasonable direction, in the case of degrees (angle and temperature) this means ± 10°.

The term "combination" or "combinations" means, unless otherwise stated, all types of combinations, starting from two of the components in question up to a plurality or all of such components, the term "containing" also means "consisting of". 1 Housing (receiver) 27 Lower lever arm 11 Lower receiver 28 Catch process 12 Upper receiver 29 Bolt catch finger 13 Magazine well 14 Magazine holder (magazine release) 3 Second bolt catch lever 141 Magazine release aperture 31 second lever arm 15 Bolt catch 32 Connection section 151 Bolt catch receptable 33 End section 152 Bolt catch curb 34 jetty (land) 153 plug 35 Resting process (pawl) 154 Fixation recess 16 Cover protrusion 36 Rejuvenation (taper) 17 Pivot pin 37 Insertion axis 18 Spring mechanism (biasing means) 38 Insertion angle 2 First bolt catch lever 4 Bolt carrier 21 Pivot axis 41 Bolt head 22 Upper lever arm 42 Gas key 23 Center element 24 Recess 51 Barrel direction 25 Latch 52 Transverse direction 26 Latch hole 53 Vertical direction

Claims (11)

1. Bolt catch, designed to be pivotably mounted in a gun having a barrel direction (51), a bolt carrier (4), a pivot pin (17) with a pivot axis (21) running parallel to the barrel direction (51) and biasing means (18), comprising:

   a first bolt catch lever (2) which may be pivoted around the pivot axis (21) between two positions, a rest position and an active position, the biasing means (18) biasing the bolt catch lever (2) to the rest position,

   the first bolt catch lever (2) comprises a center element (23) essentially directed orthogonal to the pivot axis (21), having a catch (28) which is, in mounted position, directed in barrel direction (51), the catch blocking the movement of the bolt carrier (4) in the forward direction when the first bolt catch lever (2) is pivoted to the upside,

   characterized in that the center element (23) comprises an undercut receptacle (24) having the shape of a groove with an insertion axis (37) for receiving in a form-fitting manner a connection section (32) of a second bolt catch lever (3) with a form-complemental shape.
2. Bolt catch according to claim 2, characterized in that the undercut receptacle (24) has, orthogonal to the insertion axis (37) a cross section in form of a dovetail or T-form or L-form.
3. Bolt catch according to claim 2, with a second bolt catch (3), characterized in that the form-fitting connection of the first and the second bolt catch is designed as a coupleable latching connection (25, 35).
4. Bolt catch according to claim 2, with a second bolt catch (3), characterized in that the connection section (32) comprises an end section (33) having a pawl (35) in order to interact with a latch (25) formed on and/or in the receptacle (24).
5. Bolt catch according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first bolt catch (2) has an end-to-end latch hole (26) parallel to the barrel axis (51).
6. Bolt catch according to claim 5, characterized in that the latch hole (26) is provided on the end of the receptacle (24) which is nearest to the pivot axis (21).
7. Bolt catch according to any of claims 3 to 6 with a second bolt catch (3), characterized in that the second bolt catch (3) is provided with a lever arm (31) which is, relative to the insertion axis (37) bent and/or cranked in at least one of the three dimensions.
8. Bolt catch according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the insertion axis (37) is formed at an insertion angle (38) of from 0° to 60°, preferably from 5° to 45°, particularly preferably from 10° to 30°, relative to a lower edge of the first bolt catch lever (2) when viewed in the transverse direction (52) when installed.
9. Bolt catch according to any of claims 1 to 8 with a second bolt catch (3), characterized in that a step (34) is formed at least on one side of the connection section (32).
10. Receiver (1), comprising a bolt catch according to any of claims 1 to 9.
11. Gun, comprising a bolt catch according to any of claims 1 to 9 or a receiver (1) according to claim 10.

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