US3155004A - Single shot or semi-automatic firearm - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 R. E. wr-:ATHERBY ETAL SINGLE sHoT oa SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARM 2 sheets-sheer 1 Filed Jan. l0, 1963 INVENTORS P01/E WZATHEKIS'K FRED Z. JENNJE NOV- 3, 1964 R. E. wEATHERBY ETAL 3,155,004

SINGLE SHOT OR SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. lO, 1965 INVENTORS for l. WMTHERBK F350 L. c/WNIE BY 4 3,155,064 SlNGLE SHUT F. SEMl-AUTMATC FEREARM Roy E. Weatherby and Fred L. leonie, both of 271 Firestone Blvd., South Gate, Calif. Filed lan. 1l), 1963, Ser. No. 250,549 4 Claims. (Cl. S9-128) This invention relates broadly to sporting firearms; more particularly to sporting firearms having basically a semi-automatic repeating action; and specifically to a semi-automatic repeating lirearm that is selectively and easily convertible to single shot operation.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a sporting firearm normally having semi-automatic repeating action that may be selectively and easily converted to single shot operation without the use of tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lirearm of the class described having a novel breech bolt and receiver assembly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a firearm of the class described having a novel safety mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a iirearm of the class described having a novel take-down mechanism.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which drawings, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

To the above end, generally stated; the invention consists of the following devices and combination of devices hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. l is a right hand side elevational view of the firearm in its entirety including its stock.

FIG, 2 is a right hand side elevational View of the receiver section of the firearm removed from the stock, some parts being broken away and sectioned, the shift mechanism in position for single shot operation.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary View similar to PEG. 2 with the shift mechanism shown in phantom and positioned for semi-automatic repeating action.

FIG. 4 is also a fragmentary view similar to FiG. 2 with the shift mechanism shown in phantom and positioned for single shot release.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view taken along line 5 5 of FIG. 2.

FIGJG is a perspective View of one element of the shift mechanism.

7 is a left hand side elevational View of the receiver section of the firearm, some parts being broken away and some parts sectioned.

FIG. S is a side elevational View partly in section showing the trigger and safety mechanisms of the rearm, and

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the receiver of the firearm in section taken along the line 9 9 of FIG. 7.

While the invention herein presented is primarily directed to a semi-automatic repeating rifle action that may readily be converted to a sinfvle shot operation, there is also incorporated therein, a novel safety mechanism, and a novel quick tairedown mechanism and it is therefore important to note the following components that are common to all firearms of the semi-automatic type. Namely, these components comprised, the one piece butt stock, and a fore-end 1G and 11 respectively; the barrel 12; and Vthe receiver section 13 talcen as an entirety and hereinafter` referred to as the receiver. Also in further inter- 13 will be more speoioally identified by the reference numerals 13R and 1.3L directed respectively to the right and left hand side mounting plate of the said receiver. The butt stock and fore-end assembly lll and 11 respectively are held in `assembled relation with the barrel and receiver components 12 and 13 respectively by means of a front guard screw 14 and a rear guard screw l5. These guard screws 14 and 15 also serve to secure the tnigger guard bow and floor plate assembly lo .and 17 respectively in assembled relation with the butt stock 1l) and the fore-end 11, `and the barrel and receiver components 12 `and .i3 respectively.

FIGURES 2, 3, and 4 illustrate fragmentary portions of the receiver 13 removed from the butt stock and foreend assembly 1li and 11 respectively, said FIGURES 2, 3, and 4 having particular reference to that embodiment of the invention referred to as the shift mechanism from semi-automatic operation to single shot operation which for the salie of clarity will hereinafter be referred to as the shift mechanism.

To achieve a full understanding of the invention it is also important to note the breech bolt and extractor assembly 1S taken as an entirety for the purpose of this application; the trigger mechanism 19; the ham-mer Ztl; a clip type magazine 2.2i; and the firing pin assembly 22.

Inasmuch as semi-automatic reloading may be considered normal operation for the subject rearm, and insofar as this application is concerned, no inventive concept is involved va'th respect to the basic semi-automatic action, the shifting operation to single shot operation and selectively back to semi-automatic operation will first be described and considered herein.

The said shift mechanism selectively changing the operation of the firearm to either single shot or semi-automatic operation comprises a shift lever 23 externally available to the shooter which, as shown in FIG. l is in a substantially vertical position for single shot operation of the firearm. To best describe a cycle of operation -as a single shot firearm it will be understood that when a live bullet equipped cartridge, not shown, seated in the chamber of the barrel 12 is detonated by the combined action of the trigger mechanism 19, and the firing pin assembly 22, the breech bolt assembly 18 is driven rearwardly by the forces generated by the detonating of said cartridge. The breech vbolt assembly moves rearwardly on a relatively heavy pin 24 that is seated in the rear end portion of the receiver 13 thereby loading a coiled spring 25 that cncircles the pin 24. it will be understood that the coiled spring 25 provides for the forward movement of the breech bolt 13 during the tiring of the firearm.

A latch mechanism 26 is pivotally mounted on a latch pin 27 and is housed within the receiver 13 said latch pin 27 being journaled in section 13R of the receiver 13.

The said latch mechanism comprises a latch bar 23 having hook means 29 formed in its forward and upper end portions. Said hook means 29 when the shift mechanism` is adjusted for single shot operation, rides along the lower edge portion oi the right hand underside of the breech bolt and is urged upwardly into such contact by means of a coiled spring 3h mounted on a pin 31 that is journaled at its respective end portions in side plates 313K and 131d of the receiver i3. One end portion of said spring Bil extends upward and rearwardly on an inclined plane into engagement with a spring retaining notch formed in the forward portion of the latch bar 28, the other end portion of which is retained by pin 31. A notch 33 is also formed in the said right hand lower edge portion of the breech bolt 18 and is so positioned as to be engaged by the hook means 29 on the upwardly urged latch bar 2S at a point when the said breech bolt 1S has almost reached its maximum point of rearward travel, said travel being initiated by into locked firing position.

the detonating of the chambered cartridge. It will thus be seen that the hook means 29 will snap into engagement with the notch 33 on the breech bolt 18 and thereby hold the said breech bolt against return to normal forward travels initiated by the action of the loaded main coiled spring and thus hold the action open for single shot reloading. chambered cartridge the shift lever 23 is pivotally moved to its forward position as shown in FIG. 4. This motion initiated by the movement of the shift lever 23 pivots an actuator member 34, see FiGS. 5 and 6, one corner of which, see numeral 37, presses downwardly on the lower edge portion of a rectangular cavity or hole in the latch bar 28 thereby depressing the said latch bar 2S. It is important to note that the said cavity or hole 35 is provided with a locking notch 36 for engagement with the said corner 37 of the actuator member 34. The latch bar 28 is pivotally mounted on latch pin 27 loading the coiled spring 3l? and thus releases the spring 3i) and similarly the hook means 29 from the notch 33 in the lower right hand edge portion of the breech bolt 15. This action permits the said breech bolt 1S to move forward against the newly chambered cartridge for the ensuing shot.

It will of course be understood that the hammer Ztl and the trigger mechanism 19 have been cocked for the said ensuing shot by the rearward movement of the breech bolt 18. It has not been thought necessary to fully describe tll's cooking action as the movement of the several components involved as no inventive concept is to be found therein.

It will be understood however, that the entire latch mechanism thus far described is held in assembled relation on the latch mounting pin 27, which extends through a bore in the receiver plate 13R, by means of a pair of snap rings 34.

The change over or shift from single shot operation as above described is achieved by rocking the shift lever 23 rearwardly into a position as shown in FIG. 3. This movement of the shift lever 23 initiates movement of the actuator member 34 and moves one corner, see numeral 38, thereof into interlocking engagement with a locking notch 36 formed in the cavity 35 of the latch bar 28. The holding action of the said corner 38 in the notch 36 is provided bythe upwardloading action of the spring Si? against the spring retaining notch 32 in the latch bar 28. This adjustment locks the latch bar 28 in a lowered position thereby causing the hook means Z9 on the said latch bar 2S to be held completely disengaged from the notch 33 of the breech bolt 13. Thus, when a live cartridge chambered in the barrel 12 of the firearm is detonated the breech bolt 18 is driven rearwardly within the receiver 13 on the main spring pin 24 against the tension of the main coiledrspring 25. On this backstroke or rearward movement of the breech bolt 18, ejection of the spent .cartridge chambered in the said barrel 12 is achieved and the next round, see FIG. 7, is loaded from the magazine 21 into the path of the breech bolt 18 which as the same moves forwardly by the action of the main coiled spring 24 engages the rim of the case of the next cartridge in the magazine 21 and is thus moved into the chamber of the barrel 12 and locked therein by the closed breech bolt 18 until this cycle is completed rby the detonating of the said cartridge in the chamber and to thus commence the vresulting semi-automatic action to the extent of the loaded ammunition in the maga- 'zine It is important to note that while it is common practice, the magazine 21 is provided with a spring 39 against the' tension of which'the loaded cartridges are held in the magazine 21 and urged upwardly by the To close the breech bolt 18 on a newly V magazine follower to be engaged by the forward por-V Y t tion of the breech bolt 18 as the same moves forwardly extracted from the chamber of the barrel 12 and ejected from the receiver housing, a secondary latch 'oar 40, pivotally mounted on a secondary latch pin 41 journaled in the receiver plate 1.3L is automatically motivated. This secondary latch bar 40 is provided with forwardly positioned hook means 42 that is constructed and arranged to engage the forward edge portion of the breech bolt 18 when the same is in its extreme rearwardrnost position. Thus, until the last round of ammunition in the magazine 21 has been loaded into the chamber of the barrei 12 a spring 4S mounted on pin 50 holds the secondary latch bar 4d out of engagement with the forward edge portion of the breech bolt 18 during the iiring'cycle.

Upon the firing of the las-t round, and with the breech bolt 18 driven rearwardly by the forces generated by the detonating of the cartridge to the limit of its rearward travel a hook 43 associated with the cartridge follower 44, together with the action of the spring 39 within the magazine 21 which overcomes the action of the spring 48, is urged upwardly to engage a lip 45 on the secondary latch bar 41B thus holding the breech bolt 18 open until manually released by manipulation of the shift lever. Said lip 45 extends through the side plate ISL of the receiver 13 via an aperture 46 and thence through an elongated slot 47 in the magazine 21 where it engages the cartridge follower 44. The hook means 43 is held against the lower left hand bottom edge portion of the breech bolt 18 by the upward thrust of the spring 39 mounted in the magazine 21.

The subject firearm is further provided with a novel quick take-down mechanism which is best illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, and consists of the embodiment of a snap pin 51 having a head 52 and a shank 53 and further including a leaf spring 54. The rear end portion of the receiver 13 is cut away to overlie an upstanding portion 55 of a rear block 56. Bores 57 extend through the downwardly projecting side portions 13R and 13L of the receiver 13 said bores being in alignment with the bore 58 in the rear block 56. The shank portion 53 of the snap pin 51 extends through the bores 57 and 58 thus pinning the receiver 13 to the said rear block 56. The spring 54 is contained within a slot 59 in the shank 53 of the snap pin 51 and is pressed into a hole 60 adjacent the head 52 ofthe said snap pin 51. The arcuate portion 61 of the spring 54 engages the edge of an enlarged portion of the hole 6i) located onthe side 13R ofthe receiver 13.

The actual take-down of the iirearm is achieved by first removing the snap pin 51 and thence in gripping the butt stock 10 behind the trigger guard 16. The thumb of the shooter is then pressed against the rear end portion of the receiver 13. This forward pressure, see FIG. 7, unlocks a lip 63 in the forward end portion of the receiver 13 from a mating lip 64 in a formed block 65 which is contained between side plates 13R and 13L thereby separating the barrel 12 from the receiver 13 and similarly from the butt stock and forend assembly 1t) and 11 respectively. Itis important to note that clearance is provided in the fore-end 11 yto permit forward movement ofthe receiver 13 and an V'adjustment screw 67 mountedin the forward block 65 isprovided to com- Lensate for any excess play Ybetween`mating lips 63 and The safety mechanism as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9 of the drawing is contained within theV rear block 56 and comprises an arm 68 having a hook 69 said arm being pivotally mounted on pin 70 and being loaded by spring 71 which is retained Vby screwr72. To put the'action of the rearmY on safe a finger piece 73 isV moved rear-Y wardly as will presently bedescribed in detail. The

said linger piece 73 is secured to a slidable dowel Vmerriber 74 by means of stem v'l5 which passes "through a'V slotted aperture 76 and is secured to the dowel member 74 'by means of asetscrew 77.v At the upper end portionk K' K' of the dowel member 74,7isv a slot 78 within which is I iii mounted a pin 79. The rear end portion of the arm 68 is positioned within the slot 78 of the dowel member 74 and is in continuous engagement with the pin 79. The rear edge portion 80 of the arm 68 is on an inclined plane and at the top of which is located a relatively deep notch S1.

When the safety is on the pin 79 of the dowel member 74 rests upon the inclined portion itt) iof the arm 68.

When the safety mechanism is off the pin 7 9 is moved into engagement with the notch S1 by the action of the slidable dowel member 74S as best seen in FIG. 8.

The pin 79 travels on the inclined portion Sil of the arm 68 and is snapped into engagement with the notch Sl and held so positioned by the continuous upward loading action of a spring 71 acting against the lower surface of the arm 68. The forward portion of the arm 63 is provided with the hook which disengages notch S3 of the trigger mechanism t9. The said trigger mechanism 19 is then free to pivot against spring SS thereby actuating a locking lever 86. Said locking lever 86 impinges a sear 87 which pivots on a pin 83 against the action of a spring 89 which spring is afforded a base of resistance by pin 9d.

When the trigger 19 is pulled, this action disengages a notch 9i formed in the sear S7 from a rearwardly projecting hook-like member 92 formed integral with the hammer Ztl which is mounted Ion pin 93 to fall and strike the firing pin 22 which is carried for endwise movement by the breech bolt 1S.

it is further important to note a sear `adjustment screw 94 that is provided to raise or lower the sear 87 to compensate for wear on the notch 91 on the said sear and for wear on the hook 92 of the hammer 20. This sear adjustment screw 94 has screw threaded engagement with the floor plate assembly 17 and the inner end portion of said adjustment screw impinges the lowei edge portion of the sear 87.

A guide member 95 for the arm 68 of the safety mechanism is fitted by dovetail means into the rear block 56 and is provided to overcome and compensate for any lateral movement of said arm 68.

While there are herein disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the structure, process and product of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and Vit is desired, therefore, that 'only such limitations be imposed on the anpended claims as are stated herein or required by the prior art.

What we claim is:

l. firearm having a semi-automatic repeating action comprising in combination, a receiver aifording a housing for said action, a chambered barrel fitted to said receiver, said receiver and barrel assembly being mounted in a butt stock and fore-end assembly, a magazine for retaining a quantity of loaded ammunition to be fed automatically to the chamber in the barrel when the said action is adjusted for semi-automatic tiring, a trigger mechanism cooperating with a hammer mounted within the receiver, a breech bolt slidably mounted with respect to said receiver, shift means for selectively changing to single shot operation and back to semi-automatic operation at the option of the shooter, said shift means including a latch bar and actuator member, said latch bar including a hole therein provided with a locking notch disposed for engaging said actuator member and means for selectively engaging said bolt, take down means for releasably engaging said receiver and barrel assembly with the buttstocli and fore-end assembly and a safety mechanism having a locking lever associated therewith whereby said action may be rendered inoperable.

2. A firearm having a semi-automatic repeating action comprising in combination, a receiver affording a housing and mounting station for said action including a pair of transversely spaced vertically disposed receiver plates associated with the said receiver housing a chambered barrel iitted to the said receiver housing said barrel and receiver assembly being mounted in a butt-stock and fore-end assembly, a magazine for retaining a quantity of loaded ammunition to be fed to the chamber of the barrel automatically by virtue of the semi-automatic action and manually when said action is changed to single shot operation, a trigger mechanism cooperating with a hammer pivotally mounted within said receiver and. a locking lever associated with the said trigger and hammer to impart control to the firing mechanism, a breech bolt slidably mounted with respect to said receiver, shift means mounted on the receiver side plates for selectively changing to single shot operation at the option of the shooter, said shift means including a latch bar and actuator membei, said latch bar including a hole therein provided with a locking notch disposed for engaging said actuator member and means for selectively engaging said bolt, secondary latch means housed within the receiver comprising a spring loaded latch bar pivotally mounted on the left hand receiver plate and hook means on the said secondary latch bar for engagement with the forward edge portion of the breech bolt, said secondary latch bar normally being held out of engagement with said breech bolt until the last round of ammunition in the magazine has been fed to the chamber in the barrel, latch engaging means carried by the magazine for engagement with the secondary latch bar when said last round of ammunition has been discharged therefrom wherein the: latch engaging means carried by the magazine is urged upwardly to engage said means on the latch bar that is moved into spring loaded contact with the breech bolt thereby holding the said breech bolt open until manually released by manipulation of the shift lever, take-down means comprising a pin .carried by the receiver housing and extend-v ing through the side portions thereof and .having engagement with a rear block interposed between the said receiver side plates and an aligned bore in said block to receive the pin thereby pinning the receiver housing to the said rear block and locking means associated with the said pin whereby said pin is locked in position in the receiver, interlocking means in the forward end portion of the receiver having interlocking engagement with a forward block contained between the said side plates of the receiver.

3. The structure of yclaim 2 wherein the secondary latch bar is moved into engagement with the breech bolt when said breech bolt has reached the point of its maX- iinum rearward travel and when the last round of aminunition has been discharged from the magazine into the chamber in the barrel.

4. A firearm having a semi-automatic repeating action comprising in combination, a receiver affording a housing and mounting station for said action including a pair of transversely spaced vertically disposed receiver plates associated with the said receiver housingI a chambered barrel tted to the said receiver housing said barrel and receiver assembly being mounted in a butt-stock and foreend assembly, a magazine for retaining a quantity of loaded ammunition to be fed to the chamber of the barrel automatically by virtue of the semi-automatic action and manually when said action is changed to single shot operation, a trigger mechanism cooperating with a hammer pivotally mounted within said receiver, a firing mechanism shift means, a locking lever associated with the said trigger and hammer to impart control to the `firing mechanism shift means mounted on the receiver side plates for selective changing to single shot operation at the option of the shooter, actuator means associated with the shift mechanism including an actuator member journaled in the right hand receiver plate for pivotal rocking movements about its horizontal axis, said actuator member having substantially rectangular Working surfaces and having sharp corners, a rectangular cavity formed in" the lowerend portion of the shift lever to receive the actuator member and a locking notch in the lower edge portion of said cavity for interlocking engagement with the lower corners of the working surfaces of the said actuator member when movement is imparted thereto by manipulation of the shift lever, said actuator member affording means whereby the spring loading of the latch bar having engagement with the breech bolt is overcome to render the operation of the action of the rearm either semi-automatic or rsingle shot loading, secondary latch means housed within the receiver comprising a spring loaded latch bar pivotally mounted on the left hand receiver plate and hook means on the said secondary latch bar for engagement with the forward edge portion of the held out of engagement with said breech bolt until the last round of ammunition in the magazine has been fed to the chamber in the barrel, latch engaging means carried by the magazine for engagement with the secondary latch bar when said last round of ammunition has been discharged therefrom wherein the latch engaging means carried by the magazine is urged upwardly t0 engage Y breech bolt, said zrsecondaryrlatch bar normallyrbir, Y

loaded Contact with the breech bolt thereby holding the said breech bolt open until manually released by manipulation of the shift lever, take-down means comprising a pin carried by the receiver housing and extending through the side portions thereof and having engagement with a rear block interposed between the said receiver side plates and an aligned bore in said block to receive the pin thereby pinning the receiver housing to the said rear block and locking means associated with the said pin whereby said pin is locked in position in the receiver, interlocking means in the forward end portion of the receiver having interlocking engagement with a forward block contained between the said side plates of therreceiver.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,291,689 Sheppard Q Ian. 14, 1919 1,322,053 Reising NOV. 18, 1919 2,465,699 Smith Mar, 29, 1949

Claims (1)

1. A FIREARM HAVING A SEMI-AUTOMATIC REPEATING ACTION COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A RECEIVER AFFORDING A HOUSING FOR SAID ACTION, A CHAMBERED BARREL FITTED TO SAID RECEIVER, SAID RECEIVER AND BARREL ASSEMBLY BEING MOUNTED IN A BUTT STOCK AND FORE-END ASSEMBLY, A MAGAZINE FOR RETAINING A QUANTITY OF LOADED AMMUNITION TO BE FED AUTOMATICALLY TO THE CHAMBER IN THE BARREL WHEN THE SAID ACTION IS ADJUSTED FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIRING, A TRIGGER MECHANISM COOPERATING WITH A HAMMER MOUNTED WITHIN THE RECEIVER, A BREECH BOLT SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID RECEIVER, SHIFT MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CHANGING TO SINGLE SHOT OPERATION AND BACK TO SEMI-AUTOMATIC OPERATION AT THE OPTION OF THE SHOOTER, SAID SHIFT MEANS INCLUDING A LATCH BAR AND ACTUATOR MEMBER, SAID LATCH BAR INCLUDING A HOLE THEREIN PROVIDED WITH A LOCKING NOTCH DISPOSED FOR ENGAGING SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ENGAGING SAID BOLT, TAKE DOWN MEANS FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING SAID RECEIVER AND BARREL ASSEMBLY WITH THE BUTTSTOCK AND FORE-END ASSEMBLY AND A SAFETY MECHANISM HAVING A LOCKING LEVER ASSOCIATED THEREWITH WHEREBY SAID ACTION MAY BE RENDERED INOPERABLE

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