GB2457992A

GB2457992A - Firearm

Info

Publication number: GB2457992A
Application number: GB0804258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Viktor Popov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-07
Filing date: 2008-03-07
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-07
Also published as: GB2457992B; GB0804258D0

Abstract

A firearm has first and second barrels 3, 4 with chambers for respective cartridges 5,6, and a firing system including a trigger for firing the cartridges 5, 6. The firing system is operable in a mode to respond to a single operation of the trigger by: (a) attempting firing of the cartridge 5 in the first chamber; (b) if the cartridge 5 in the first chamber fails to fire, attempting firing of the cartridge 6 in the second chamber; and (c) if the cartridge 5 in the first chamber does fire, preventing, or not attempting, firing of the cartridge 6 in the second chamber.

Description

TITLE

Firearm with high reliability

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to fireanns. The invention was conceived as an automatic or semi-automatic small firearm (rifle or hand-gun) but is also applicable to other firearms whether (semi-)automatic or not.

A conventional non-automatic small firearm has a chamber that is loaded with a cartridge. When a trigger is pulled, the cartridge is fired. Upon manual actuation, the spent cartridge case can be ejected from the chamber, and the chamber can be reloaded with a fresh cartridge fed from a magazine or manually inserted into the chamber. The time taken to reload the chamber with a fresh cartridge is much the same whether the previous cartridge fired or misfired. The firing rate that is possible with such a firearm is relatively slow.

In a conventional revolver, a number of cartridges are loaded into a circular array of chambers in a cylinder. After firing of a cartridge from one chamber, in a single-action mode of operation of the conventional revolver, the cylinder is manually indexed around to bring the next chamber into alignment with the barrel, and the revolver is cocked ready for firing the cartridge in that chamber; then, when the trigger is subsequently pulled, that cartridge is fired. By contrast, in a double-action mode of operation of the conventional revolver, when the trigger is pulled the cylinder is indexed around to bring the next chamber into alignment with the barrel, the revolver is cocked and the cartridge in that chamber is fired. While the cylinder still contains live cartridges, the firing rate that is possible with a revolver is generally far greater than with the non-automatic firearm described in the previous paragraph.

The firing rate that is possible with the double-action mode of operation of a revolver tends to be faster than with the single-action mode due to the lack of the need to index the cylinder and cock the revolver separately from firing the cartridge, but the double-action mode tends to be less accurate due to the increased pressure required on the trigger to input the work required for indexing the cylinder and cocking the revolver. The time taken to index the cylinder and cock the revolver is much the same whether the previous cartridge fired or misfired.

In a conventional single-trigger double-barrelled shotgun, when the gun is broken (i.e. opened) the gun is cocked and its two chambers can be loaded with two cartridges. When the gun is then closed and the trigger is pulled the cartridge in a first one of the chambers is fired, and when the trigger is released and pulled again the cartridge in the second chamber is fired.

The firing rate with such a shotgun is much the same as a revolver in double-action mode, but only for two shots. If the cartridge in the first chamber misfires, the cartridge in the second chamber is available for firing immediately after release of the trigger. However, if the cartridge in the second chamber misfires, it is then necessary to break and reload the gun for the next shot.

In a conventional semi-automatic or automatic firearm, whether a hand-gun, rifle, shotgun or machine-gun, cartridges are generally provided in a magazine or on a belt. The firearm is initially loaded by manual operation of a slide, which feeds the first cartridge from the magazine or belt into the chamber and cocks the firearm ready for use. When the trigger is pulled, the cartridge is fired, and the slide operates automatically to eject the spent cartridge case from the chamber, feed the next cartridge from the magazine or belt into the chamber and cock the firearm ready for the next shot. In an automatic firearm, that cartridge is then fired if the trigger is still pulled, whereas in a semi-automatic firearm that cartridge is not fired until the trigger is released and pulled again. The firing rate of a semi-automatic or automatic firearm is generally faster than a revolver, and the cartridge capacity of automatic and semi-automatic firearms is generally much greater than a revolver and, of course, a double-barrelled shotgun. However, a serious disadvantage of a conventional automatic or semi-automatic firearm is that, if a cartridge misfires, it is necessary to operate the slide manually, in order to eject the misfired cartridge, load the next cartridge and cock the firearm, before firing can recommence. In other words, the firearm jams and needs be unjammed manually. This requires considerably more time than simply pressing the trigger again, which is the required action when any but the last cartridge in a revolver misfires, or when the first cartridge in a double-barrelled shotgun misfires.

In view of the above, it will be appreciated that, in the case where it is required to fire a shot in quick time once the trigger is pressed and where cartridges may misfire, a fully-loaded revolver is more reliable than a fully-loaded (semi-)automatic pistol, and a fully-loaded double-barrelled shotgun is more reliable than a fully-loaded semi-automatic shotgun.

However, the cartridge capacities of revolvers are generally more limited than (semi- )automatic pistols, and they are either less accurate or have slower rate of firing than (semi- )automatic pistols.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a firearm that can keep the same rate of firing as (semi-)automatic firearms/pistols without loosing on accuracy, and still achieving higher combat reliability than revolvers.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a firearm is provided having a frame, first and second barrels with chambers for respective cartridges, connected to the frame, and a firing mechanism/system connected to the frame, including a trigger for firing the cartridges, the firing system being operable in a mode to respond to a single operation of the trigger by: (a) attempting firing of the cartridge in the first barrel/chamber; (b) if the cartridge in the first barrel/chamber fails to fire, attempting firing of the cartridge in the second barrel/chamber; and (c) if the cartridge in the first barrel/chamber does fire, preventing, or not attempting, firing of the cartridge in the second barrel/chamber. Therefore, similarly to a conventional double-barrelled shotgun, the firearm of the invention has two barrels/chambers. However, in contrast to a double-barrelled shotgun, if the cartridge in the first barrel does not fire in response to a trigger operation, the cartridge in the second barrel is fired without any further intervention by the user. (Although this comparison has been drawn with a non-automatic firearm, it should be noted that the scope of the invention is not limited to non-automatic firearms.) In conventional firearms, it is common for the trigger to act directly to withdraw a sear, which in turn releases a firing pin or a hammer, which in turn is accelerated into impact with a percussion cap of the cartridge or is accelerated into impact with the firing pin, respectively. In the second case, the impact of the hammer on the firing pin accelerates the firing pin into impact with the percussion cap of the cartridge. There is therefore a finite (albeit small) time delay between pulling the trigger and the firing pin impacting the cap. In the firearm of the invention, the firing mechanism/system is preferably operable in said mode to respond to such a single operation of the trigger by: (a) commencing an attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber (e.g. releasing the first firing pin); (b) commencing, after the commencement of the attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber, an attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber (e.g. releasing the second firing pin); (c) if the cartridge in the first chamber does fire, preventing completion of the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber (e.g. blocking the path of the second firing pin to the cap of the second cartridge by a suitable gas, recoil or blowback operated means or any other means that gain energy for the operation from the gas, recoil or blowback action); and (d) if the cartridge in the first chamber fails to fire, permitting completion of the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber (e.g. allowing the second firing pin to impact the cap of the second cartridge). This preferred feature of the invention enables, in the present example, the second firing pin to be released before it is known whether it will be necessary to fire the second cartridge, and therefore reduces the delay in firing the second cartridge in the event that the first cartridge misfires. Indeed, the firing system is preferably operable in said mode to commence the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber at a predetermined stage during or after the attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber. For example, the second firing pin may be released when the first firing pin reaches a predetermined point on its path towards the cap of the first cartridge. The stage at which the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber is commenced is preferably adjustable.

In the case where the invention is applied to a firearm having an ejector system for ejecting cartridges or fired cartridge cases from the chambers, the ejector system is preferably operable in said mode: (a) in response to the cartridge in the first chamber firing, to eject the cartridge case from the first chamber; and (b) in response to the cartridge in the second chamber firing, to eject the cartridge from the first chamber and the cartridge case from the second chamber. In other words, if the first cartridge fires, the ejector system does not eject and waste the second cartridge, and if the second cartridge fires (due to misfiring of the first cartridge), the ejector system clears the chambers of both the misfired cartridge and the spent cartridge case.

In the case where the invention is applied to an automatic or semi-automatic firearm having not only such an ejector system but also a reloading system for reloading the chambers with fresh cartridges, the reloading system is preferably operable in said mode: (a) in response to the first cartridge firing, to reload the first chamber with a fresh cartridge; and (b) in response to the second cartridge firing, to reload both chambers with fresh cartridges. In other words, if the second cartridge fires (due to misfiring of the first cartridge), the ejector and reloading systems clear and reload both chambers so that the firearm does not jam and is ready for firing again.

The firing system may be selectable to operate in a second mode, as an alternative to the first-mentioned mode, to respond to a single operation of the trigger by attempting to fire the cartridges in the both chambers simultaneously. In other words, the firearm has a double-discharge mode of operation.

Additionally or alternatively, the firing system may be selectable to operate in a third mode, as an alternative to the first (and second) mode, to respond to a single operation of the trigger by attempting to fire the cartridge in only one of the chambers. This mode of operation offers possibility to use the firearm in a conventional-discharge mode of operation if one of the chambers becomes inoperable due to, for example, jamming of one of the chambers, or defect on one of the firing pins, or defect on one of the firing pin springs, etc. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a simplified schematic cross-sectional side view of a firearm for illustrating the principle of operation of the embodiment of the invention; Figures 2 to 8 are more-detailed cross-sectional side views of the firearm at different stages in the first mode of its operation; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional end view of the firearm showing the relative positions of a pair of barrels and a loaded magazine; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional end view of the firearm showing a pair of slides/bolts, a pair of firing pins and the loaded magazine; Figure 11 is similar to Figure 2 but showing the firearm set for its second mode of operation; and Figure 12 is similar to Figure 2, but showing a modified firearm.

Referring to Figure 1, a semi-automatic or automatic firearm comprises two integral systems, System I and System 2. Each system has a barrel 3,4 connected to a frame 9 and a firing mechanism including firing pins 1,2. Each barrel 3,4 has a chamber loaded with a cartridge 5,6. Other parts would be included in the systems and there would be parts commonly used by both systems, but are not mentioned here, as they are not important for understanding the principle of operation of the present invention. The axes of the barrels 3,4 are parallel or nearly parallel to each other and of generally equal length. For each firing pin 1,2, a force is provided by any suitable means (not shown), so the firing pin 1,2 can be accelerated to perform the initiation of the cartridge 5,6 in the barrel 3,4 of the corresponding system, System 1 or System 2. The two firing pins 1,2 in a single firearm can be accelerated by different means. The pressure applied on the trigger (not shown) activates the mechanism that accelerates the firing pin 1 in System 1, which performs the work of initiating the cartridge 5 in System 1 at time t. Without any need for further action on the trigger, the mechanism accelerating the second firing pin 2 is activated, which forces the firing pin 2 to initiate the cartridge 6 of System 2 at time t + At. If the cartridge 5 is initiated successfully, the firing pin 2 of System 2 does not initiate the cartridge 6 in System 2. The initiation of the cartridge 6 is prevented during the time delay At, which is sufficiently large so that a suitable gas, recoil or blowback operated means or any other means that gain energy for the operation from the gas, recoil or blowback action can prevent the firing pin 2 from initiating the cartridge 6.

Referring now in more detail to Figures 2 to 8, the firing pins 1,2 are shown operable by springs 9,10. The firearm is shown cocked and ready for firing in Figure 2. Upon pulling the trigger, Figure 3, a sear 11 is withdrawn, and the firing pin 1 is accelerated by the firing pin spring 9. As shown in Figure 4, at the moment when the firing pin 1 finishes its movement, it initiates the cartridge 5, and releases the firing pin 2 of the second system, which now starts its movement towards the cartridge 6 in the second barrel 4. Various means may be provided by which the firing pin 1 releases the firing pin 2, and in the case shown in Figures 2 to 8, it consists of lever 12, which is activated by a part 13 of the firing pin 1. The length of the time delay At is in this case the time necessary for the firing pin 2 to complete its movement after it has been released. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, as a slide 7 of the first system moves back because of a blowback action, an extension 14 of the slide 7 stops the forward movement of the firing pin 2 and moves it back towards its initial position. As shown in Figure 6, once the firing pin 2 has returned to its initial position, it is locked there by the lever 12, the empty case 5 is ejected by an ejector system (not shown), and the firing pin 1 is locked in its initial position by the sear 11. Next the slide 7 returns to its initial position, because of the force 17 of a recoil spring (not shown), feeding a new cartridge into the chamber and the situation shown in Figure 2 is re-established with the firearm ready for firing again.

If the firing pin I fails to initiate the cartridge 5, the firing pin 2 completes its forward movement and initiates the cartridge 6, as shown in Figure 7. As the slide 8 of the second system moves back because of the blowback action, it pushes the extension 14 of the slide 7, also moving back the slide 7. As both slides 7,8 complete their backward movement, see Figure 8, the empty case of cartridge 6 and the cartridge 5 are ejected, the firing pins 1,2 are cocked and the slides 7,8 start their movement back towards the initial position, feeding new cartridges into the chambers.

Figure 9 shows relative positions of the barrels 3,4 from the side of the breech, a magazine 19 and fresh cartridges 5,6 ready to be fed into the barrels 3,4, respectively. Figure 10 shows the slides/bolts 7,8, the firing pins 1,2 and the cartridges 5,6 inside the magazine 19. Figures 9 and 10 show one possible way to feed both barrels with fresh cartridges.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above.

For example, Figure 11 shows the firearm with a possibility to achieve simultaneous initiation of the cartridges in the chambers of the both barrels 3,4. This is achieved by a selectably engageable mechanical connection 20 of the sear 11 and the lever 12.

Also, referring to Figure 11, the extension 14 of the slide 7 may be constructed so that it can be rendered selectably inoperable, and one or the other of the firing pins 1,2 may be arranged to be selectably lockable, in which case the firearm would then operate with one barrel/system only, depending on which firing pin 1,2 had been locked.

Referring to Figure 12, the triggering mechanism for the system 2 can be modified to have option to adjust the time delay t. One possible way of adjusting the time delay t is by adjusting the position of a pin 15 mounted on an extension 13 of the firing pin 1 by a screw 16.

Also, as shown in Figure 12, the barrels 3,4 may be of different lengths.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the invention and modifications thereto have been described above purely by way of example and that many other modifications and developments may be made thereto within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIM1. A firearm having a frame, first and second barrels with chambers for respective cartridges, connected to the frame, and a firing mechanism/system connected to the frame, including a trigger for firing the cartridges, the tiring system being operable in a mode to respond to a single operation of the trigger by: (a) attempting firing of the cartridge in the first chamber; (b) if the cartridge in the first chamber fails to fire, attempting firing of the cartridge in the second chamber; and (c) if the cartridge in the first chamber does tire, preventing, or not attempting, firing of the cartridge in the second chamber.
2. A firearm as claimed in claim I, wherein the firing system is operable in said mode to respond to such a single operation of the trigger by: (a) commencing an attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber; (b) commencing, after the commencement of the attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber, an attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber; (c) if the cartridge in the first chamber does fire, preventing completion of the attempt to lire the cartridge in the second chamber; and (d) if the cartridge in the first chamber fails to fire, permitting completion of the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber.
3. A firearm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the firing system is operable in said mode to commence the attempt to fire the cartridge in the second chamber at a predetermined stage during the attempt to fire the cartridge in the first chamber.
4. A firearm as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stage is adjustable.
5. A firearm as claimed in any preceding claim, further having an ejector system for ejecting the cartridges or fired cartridge cases from the chambers, the ejector system being operable in said mode: (a) in response to the cartridge in the first chamber firing, to eject the cartridge case from the first chamber; and (b) in response to the cartridge in the second chamber firing, to eject the cartridge from the first chamber and the cartridge case from the second chamber.
6. A firearm as claimed in claim 5, further having a reloading system for reloading the chambers with fresh cartridges, the reloading system being operable in said mode: (a) in response to the first cartridge firing, to reload the first chamber with a fresh cartridge; and (b) in response to the second cartridge firing, to reload both chambers with fresh cartridges.
7. A firearm as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tiring system is selectable to operate in a second mode, as an alternative to the first-mentioned mode, to respond to a single operation of the trigger by attempting to fire the cartridges in the both chambers simultaneously.
8. A firearm as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the firing system is selectable to operate in a third mode, as an alternative to the first or second mode, to respond to a single operation of the trigger by attempting to tire the cartridge in only one of the chambers. 0)
9. A firearm substantially as described with reference to the drawings.COC a)C