Title:
FIREARM MAGAZINE RELEASING LEVER AND TRIGGER SAFETY
United States Patent 3715826
Abstract:
A firearm in particular an automatic rifle, which comprises a housing, and a trigger guard received by the housing. A trigger lever extends into the trigger guard and a magazine releasing lever is provided. A magazine is operatively connected with the magazine releasing lever and an operative connection is arranged between the trigger lever and the magazine releasing lever, in order to lock one of the levers upon operation of the other of the levers.
US Patent References:
Magazine catch means including a trigger safety
Koucky et al. - December 1968 - 3415000
Magazine catch means including a trigger safety
Koucky et al. - December 1968 - 3415000
Application Number:
05/123184
Publication Date:
02/13/1973
Filing Date:
03/11/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Rheinmetall GmbH (Dusseldorf, DT)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
42/7, 89/137, 42/6, 42/70.020
International Classes:
F41A17/38; F41A17/00; F41C17/08; F41C17/00; F41C17/02
Field of Search:
42/7E,7A,7
Primary Examiner:
Borchelt, Benjamin A.
Assistant Examiner:
Jordan C. T.
Claims:
I claim
1. A firearm comprising
2. The firearm as set forth in claim 1, wherein
3. The firearm, as set forth in claim 2, wherein
1. A firearm comprising
2. The firearm as set forth in claim 1, wherein
3. The firearm, as set forth in claim 2, wherein
Description:
The present invention relates to firearms, in particular to an automatic rifle, with a magazine releasing lever projecting into a trigger guard.
Most of the trigger mechanisms and magazine holding devices, which have become known until now for automatic firearms with exchangable magazines are not connected in a functional manner. This has been found as disadvantageous, since in case of a non-intended operation of the magazine releasing lever by a rifleman or in case of a removal of the magazine by longitudinal pivoting of the firearm during firing, as it can occur in connection with rifles, the magazine is hooked-in on its narrow side in the firearm, while the opposite side is arrested by a ratchet and thus the magazine does not sit rigidly in the firearm anymore. The next cartridge is consequently no longer gripped by the breech and fed to the barrel. Thus, an interruption of the firing succession is created for a reason not apparent to the rifleman. He will now substitute a new magazine for the previous magazine which has not been completely emptied or he will suspect an error in the ammunition and load again or he will examine the magazine concerning its rigid seat. These seconds connected with error search and error removal, respectively, can be decisive for the life of the rifleman in combat.
A device is known in which a magazine releasing lever permits disadvantageously during its operation the firing of the firearm and only blocks the trigger lever after the magazine is removed and an advance in its resting position takes place. The magazine holding lever can, however, advance only in its resting position, when the trigger lever is disposed in its resting position.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a firearm, in particular an automatic rifle, wherein the trigger mechanism and the magazine holding device are connected together such that the magazine releasing lever cannot be operated during firing. On the other hand, in an intended or non-intended operation of the magazine releasing lever, the trigger lever should be locked, in order to prevent the firing of the cartridge disposed in the barrel. In case of a magazine, which does not sit rigidly in its holder, this should be indicated to the rifleman such that the firing device is blocked. Furthermore without a magazine no bullet still in the barrel should be fired. Furthermore the magazine releasing lever should be operable for the left-hand operator as well as for the right-hand operator in equal manner, and a further object of the present invention resides in a solution which is economical as to costs and also wherein the technical production is simple and safe in function.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a firearm, in particular an automatic rifle, wherein the trigger lever and the magazine releasing lever are in operative connection such, that upon operation of one lever the other is always locked.
By this arrangement it is avoided, in case of the pulled-through trigger lever, that the magazine can be released and removed by means of the magazine releasing lever and removed. On the other hand in case of the operation of the magazine releasing lever the trigger lever is blocked.
In case the magazine should loosen to an extent, that, the ratchet no long enters a groove provided on the magazine, the trigger lever remains forcibly blocked. Upon removal of the magazine, a cartridge still in the barrel can no longer be fired.
In accordance with the present invention the magazine releasing lever is formed as an angular lever pivotally mounted in the movement plane of a trigger lever, one arm of the angular lever extending directly behind the trigger lever into the space defined by a trigger guard and the other arm of the angular lever cooperating with the spring biased ratchet causing the holding of the magazine. This arrangement permits the transfer of the pivotal movement of the magazine releasing lever in a longitudinal movement of the ratchet, whereby by means of one spring only the ratchet, as well as the magazine releasing lever are moved backwardly always into its corresponding starting position.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the magazine releasing lever has at its end of the lever arm extending into the trigger guard space a handle projecting on both sides beyond the width of the trigger lever. For left-hand and right-hand riflemen, it is now equally simple to exchange a magazine or only to remove the same.
Furthermore the magazine releasing lever enters with its handle, in case the trigger lever is withdrawn, into a recess formed on the backside of the same, while upon operation of the magazine releasing lever, as well as in case of removing of the magazine, the movement of the trigger lever is blocked by engagement of the handle at one of the locking faces formed on both sides of the recess. The mutual safety function is obtained thus upon operation of any of the two levers, whereby the greatest possible safety for the rifleman is brought about.
With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the arrangement of a trigger lever and a magazine holding device in resting position;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device disclosed in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, similar to that shown in FIG. 1; indicating the safety device of the trigger lever upon operation of the magazine releasing lever;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, indicating the safety device of the trigger lever upon removal of the magazine; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, indicating the safety device of the magazine holding device upon withdrawal of the trigger lever.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, in a firearm 1, a trigger lever 2 is provided in a trigger guard space 1b defined within a trigger guard 1a, which trigger lever 2 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 3 and is pressed by a spring 4, which supports itself on the firearm housing, against an abutment 1c which is like a firearm housing.
On the side opposite the abutment 1c of the trigger lever 2, the latter is equipped perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the firearm with a rectangular recess 2a, which is limited on both sides by locking faces 2b (on the top) and 2c (on the bottom). Behind this recess 2a is disposed on the long arm 5a of a magazine releasing lever 5 formed as an angular lever, which is pivotable about the section point of its arms on a bolt 6 secured in the firearm housing, a handle 5b, while the short arm 5c is pivoted by means of a bolt 7 on the ratchet 8. At the end adjacent the magazine releasing lever 5 of the ratchet 8 is disposed a spring 9 supporting itself on the firearm housing 1, while the other end projects into a groove 10a of a magazine 10 and is inclined towards its pullout direction. Furthermore the ratchet 8 is equipped with a set-off 8a, which lays itself for the limiting of the maximum stroke upon removed magazine 10 against an abutment 1d of the firearm housing 1.
The operation of the device is explained in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
Thus FIG. 3 shows the position, in which the magazine releasing lever 5 after pushing down the same withdraws over its short arm 5c the ratchet 8 against the force of the spring 9 from the groove 10a of the magazine 10, so that the magazine 10 can be removed. Simultaneously, the handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 is disposed so close behind the lower locking face 2c of the trigger lever 2, that the latter cannot be withdrawn.
FIG. 4 clarifies how upon releasing of the magazine lever 5 the latter in cooperation with the ratchet 8 moves in the direction of the spring force, until the set-off 8a of the ratchet 8 engages the abutment 1d of the firearm housing 1, as a result of the spring 9. The handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 is disposed now behind the upper locking face 2b of the trigger lever 2, so that the latter can still be blocked.
In accordance with FIG. 5, upon withdrawal of the trigger lever 2, its recess 2a moves below the handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 and blocks thereby the magazine holding device. Upon release, the trigger lever 2 moves in the direction of the spring force until it engages the abutment 1c.
While I have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that this embodiment is given by example only and not in a limiting sense.
Most of the trigger mechanisms and magazine holding devices, which have become known until now for automatic firearms with exchangable magazines are not connected in a functional manner. This has been found as disadvantageous, since in case of a non-intended operation of the magazine releasing lever by a rifleman or in case of a removal of the magazine by longitudinal pivoting of the firearm during firing, as it can occur in connection with rifles, the magazine is hooked-in on its narrow side in the firearm, while the opposite side is arrested by a ratchet and thus the magazine does not sit rigidly in the firearm anymore. The next cartridge is consequently no longer gripped by the breech and fed to the barrel. Thus, an interruption of the firing succession is created for a reason not apparent to the rifleman. He will now substitute a new magazine for the previous magazine which has not been completely emptied or he will suspect an error in the ammunition and load again or he will examine the magazine concerning its rigid seat. These seconds connected with error search and error removal, respectively, can be decisive for the life of the rifleman in combat.
A device is known in which a magazine releasing lever permits disadvantageously during its operation the firing of the firearm and only blocks the trigger lever after the magazine is removed and an advance in its resting position takes place. The magazine holding lever can, however, advance only in its resting position, when the trigger lever is disposed in its resting position.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a firearm, in particular an automatic rifle, wherein the trigger mechanism and the magazine holding device are connected together such that the magazine releasing lever cannot be operated during firing. On the other hand, in an intended or non-intended operation of the magazine releasing lever, the trigger lever should be locked, in order to prevent the firing of the cartridge disposed in the barrel. In case of a magazine, which does not sit rigidly in its holder, this should be indicated to the rifleman such that the firing device is blocked. Furthermore without a magazine no bullet still in the barrel should be fired. Furthermore the magazine releasing lever should be operable for the left-hand operator as well as for the right-hand operator in equal manner, and a further object of the present invention resides in a solution which is economical as to costs and also wherein the technical production is simple and safe in function.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a firearm, in particular an automatic rifle, wherein the trigger lever and the magazine releasing lever are in operative connection such, that upon operation of one lever the other is always locked.
By this arrangement it is avoided, in case of the pulled-through trigger lever, that the magazine can be released and removed by means of the magazine releasing lever and removed. On the other hand in case of the operation of the magazine releasing lever the trigger lever is blocked.
In case the magazine should loosen to an extent, that, the ratchet no long enters a groove provided on the magazine, the trigger lever remains forcibly blocked. Upon removal of the magazine, a cartridge still in the barrel can no longer be fired.
In accordance with the present invention the magazine releasing lever is formed as an angular lever pivotally mounted in the movement plane of a trigger lever, one arm of the angular lever extending directly behind the trigger lever into the space defined by a trigger guard and the other arm of the angular lever cooperating with the spring biased ratchet causing the holding of the magazine. This arrangement permits the transfer of the pivotal movement of the magazine releasing lever in a longitudinal movement of the ratchet, whereby by means of one spring only the ratchet, as well as the magazine releasing lever are moved backwardly always into its corresponding starting position.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the magazine releasing lever has at its end of the lever arm extending into the trigger guard space a handle projecting on both sides beyond the width of the trigger lever. For left-hand and right-hand riflemen, it is now equally simple to exchange a magazine or only to remove the same.
Furthermore the magazine releasing lever enters with its handle, in case the trigger lever is withdrawn, into a recess formed on the backside of the same, while upon operation of the magazine releasing lever, as well as in case of removing of the magazine, the movement of the trigger lever is blocked by engagement of the handle at one of the locking faces formed on both sides of the recess. The mutual safety function is obtained thus upon operation of any of the two levers, whereby the greatest possible safety for the rifleman is brought about.
With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the arrangement of a trigger lever and a magazine holding device in resting position;
FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device disclosed in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, similar to that shown in FIG. 1; indicating the safety device of the trigger lever upon operation of the magazine releasing lever;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, indicating the safety device of the trigger lever upon removal of the magazine; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, indicating the safety device of the magazine holding device upon withdrawal of the trigger lever.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, in a firearm 1, a trigger lever 2 is provided in a trigger guard space 1b defined within a trigger guard 1a, which trigger lever 2 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 3 and is pressed by a spring 4, which supports itself on the firearm housing, against an abutment 1c which is like a firearm housing.
On the side opposite the abutment 1c of the trigger lever 2, the latter is equipped perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the firearm with a rectangular recess 2a, which is limited on both sides by locking faces 2b (on the top) and 2c (on the bottom). Behind this recess 2a is disposed on the long arm 5a of a magazine releasing lever 5 formed as an angular lever, which is pivotable about the section point of its arms on a bolt 6 secured in the firearm housing, a handle 5b, while the short arm 5c is pivoted by means of a bolt 7 on the ratchet 8. At the end adjacent the magazine releasing lever 5 of the ratchet 8 is disposed a spring 9 supporting itself on the firearm housing 1, while the other end projects into a groove 10a of a magazine 10 and is inclined towards its pullout direction. Furthermore the ratchet 8 is equipped with a set-off 8a, which lays itself for the limiting of the maximum stroke upon removed magazine 10 against an abutment 1d of the firearm housing 1.
The operation of the device is explained in greater detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
Thus FIG. 3 shows the position, in which the magazine releasing lever 5 after pushing down the same withdraws over its short arm 5c the ratchet 8 against the force of the spring 9 from the groove 10a of the magazine 10, so that the magazine 10 can be removed. Simultaneously, the handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 is disposed so close behind the lower locking face 2c of the trigger lever 2, that the latter cannot be withdrawn.
FIG. 4 clarifies how upon releasing of the magazine lever 5 the latter in cooperation with the ratchet 8 moves in the direction of the spring force, until the set-off 8a of the ratchet 8 engages the abutment 1d of the firearm housing 1, as a result of the spring 9. The handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 is disposed now behind the upper locking face 2b of the trigger lever 2, so that the latter can still be blocked.
In accordance with FIG. 5, upon withdrawal of the trigger lever 2, its recess 2a moves below the handle 5b of the magazine releasing lever 5 and blocks thereby the magazine holding device. Upon release, the trigger lever 2 moves in the direction of the spring force until it engages the abutment 1c.
While I have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that this embodiment is given by example only and not in a limiting sense.