GB2435682A - Firearm squeeze action mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A squeeze action mechanism acting via a flexible or fluid link and a means of amplifing linear motion to open bolt or breechblock 2 and compress mainspring 4. Displacement of piston 9 by squeezing lever 13 into grip 8 acts via fluid filled pipe 1 and piston 7 causing pinion 5 to travel along fixed rack 6 inducing rotation, this combination of linear and rotary motion causes loose rack 3, also engaged with pinion 5, to open the bolt or breechblock 2 and compress mainspring 4. As lever 13 reaches the limit of travel sear 12 is dis-engaged from piston 9 allowing mainspring 4 to return the mechanism to battery except lever 13 and sear 12, they are returned by springs 14 and 15 respectively on the operator releasing his grip to start another cycle.

Description

<p>An indirect squeeze action for firearms The present invention relates

to a mechanism to cycle the action of firearms by the displacement of a moveable part of the grip Although firearm mechanisms that are cycled by the squeezing of a moveable part of the grip are well known the use of a rigid link between the moveable grip and the bolt or breechblock limits these to short pistol cartridges According to the present invention there is provided a squeeze action mechanism for firearms comprising a grip with a moveable part the displacement of which is transmitted via a flexible or fluid link to a remote location on the firearm and there acts directly or indirectly on the bolt or breechblock to cause the firearm action to cycle By using a flexible or fluid link in this way spaces, that could not be used with a rigid link due to the torturous route required, such as the butt or fore end can be used to house a simple mechanisim to amplify the displacement of the grip thus permitting longer and more powerful cartridges to be used In one enibodiement the flexible link consists of a fluid filled pipe provided with a moveable piston at each end. One piston being acted upon by the moveable part of the grip and the other piston acting upon the input of a displacement amplification mechanism, such as fixed and loose racks with an intermeadiate pinion. The loose rack or output acting directly or indirectly on the bolt or breechblock In a second ernbodiement the flexible link comprises a guided cable in a protective sheath with one end secured in the grip and the other end acting on the input of the diplacement amplification mechanism The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a schematic of the action closed or locked Figure 2 is a schematic of' the action open or unlocked Figure 3 is a plan of the rack and pinion mechanism A squeeze action mechanism according to the present invention is shown in figure 1 comprises a fluid filled pipe (1) linking a squeeze action mechanism housed in grip (8) to a pinion (5) that acts in conjunction with fixed rack (6) on loose rack (3) to open the action and compress mainspring (4) On squeezing lever (13) toward grip (8) sear (12) engaged in grrove (10) moves piston (9) forcing fluid through pipe (1) to move piston (7) Piston (7) acts on pinion (5) , as piston (7) acts outside the pitch circle diameter of pinion (5) there is mechanical advantage to this component of the system. Rack (6) is fixed the'fore linear travel of pinion (5) due to the action of piston (7) induces pinion (5) to rotate,this causes loose rack (3) to travel twice the linear distance moved by pinion (5) , causinq bolt or breechblock (2) to travel a similar distance and to compress mainspring (4) . As lever (13) describes an arc about its pivot point sear (12) is kept in groove (10) by sprinq (15) . Figure 2 shows the mechanism with lever (13) nearing the limit of travel with sear (12) engaged with disconnector (ii) . As disconnector (11) moves radially about its lower pivot point it cams sear (12) out of engagement with groove (10) releasing piston (9) . The compressed mainspring (4) now acts on loose rack (3) to return the bolt or breechblock (2) to battery and,via pinion (5) , push piston (7) causing displacement of fluid in pipe (1) to return piston (9) to the position shown in figure 1. On release of lever (13) , by relaxing the grip of the operators fingers, spring (14) will return lever (13) to the position shown in figure 1 and spring (15) will cause sear (12) to re-engage groove (10) ready for the next cycle</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1 A squeeze action mechanism for firearms comprising a grip with a moveable part the displacement of which is transmitted via a flexible or fluid link to a remote location on the firearm and there acts directly or indirectly on the bolt or breechblock to cause the firearm action to cycle 2 A squeeze action mechanism as claimed in claim 1 where in the flexible or fluid link comprises a fluid filled pipe provided with a piston at each end such that displacement of one end causes a similar displacement of the other end 3 A squeeze action mechanism as claimed in claim 1 where in the flexible link comprises a guided cable 4 A squeeze action mechanism as claimed in claim 1 claim 2 and claim 3 where in the flexible linkage acts on a piinion between a fixed and loose racks to amplify the displacement of the moveable part of the grip</p>