Unitary breechblock assembly

Abstract

A single-shot break action firearm includes a receiver, a barrel, and a stock. The receiver has a breach portion that defines a cavity that is sized and shaped to house a breechblock therein. The breechblock is constructed from a powdered metal formed by metal-injection-molding. The breechblock is form from a higher strength material than the receiver to contain explosive forces produced during discharge of the firearm. The barrel is connected with the receiver and extends forward therefrom. The stock is connected with the receiver and extends rearward therefrom.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]room This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 367,950, filed Jul. 27, 2010, entitled “UNITARY BREECH BLOCK ASSEMBLY”, the aforementioned application being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, to single-shot break action firearms.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Single-shot break action firearms, typically, have a barrel enclosing a bore that extends from a breech end to a muzzle end of the barrel. The barrel is pivotally mounted to a receiver disposed near the breech end of the barrel. The receiver includes a breechblock, which blocks the breech end of the barrel when the barrel is in a closed position. Pivoting motion of the barrel on the receiver shifts the barrel to an open position wherein the breechblock does not block the breech end of the barrel. The breechblock typically houses a firing pin, wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to the present invention, a firearm receiver is die cast at low cost and is adapted to receive a slide-in unitary breechblock and barrel catch assembly, which provides sturdy wear surfaces at minimal cost of manufacture.

[0009]Additionally, upper interior surfaces of the die cast receiver are machined to provide interference flats, which engage complementary flats formed on a barrel tang, thereby enhancing engagement of the barrel catch with the barrel tang.

[0010]Additionally, the barrel tang, barrel catch, trigger, and hammer are mutually positioned to provide an interlock that prevents closing the barrel with the hammer cocked, and that also prevents releasing the hammer unless the barrel is fully closed or fully opened.

Problems solved by technology

The use of high quality materials and time-intensive manufacturing processes results in high costs.

One potential problem with economical firearms is that the breechblock portion of the receiver can become worn by pivoting motion of the barrel.

This wear, in turn, may adversely affect the performance of cartridges—for example, by permitting the rim of a cartridge to shift in the gap between the breechblock and the breech end of the barrel.

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