Multifunctional lever for firearms

Abstract

The invention relates to a lever connected to the frame of the firearm by a pivot pin and a method for manipulating said lever. This lever is capable of pivoting along the pivot pin, serving to both secure and index the bolt assembly into the locked position, as well as holding the bolt assembly in an open position. Additionally, the said lever possesses the capability to release the bolt assembly from the frame. The multifunctional lever engages either with a pin situated on one side of the bolt assembly to ensure the locked position of the bolt assembly, or with the bolt head of the bolt assembly to prevent disassembly from the frame. Manipulating the lever facilitates the release of the bolt assembly from the frame. All these functionalities are achieved without the necessity of any additional tools.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of firearms and, more particularly, to levers designed to serve multiple functions eliminating the need for additional tools to perform various actions on the firearm.Background of the invention

[0002] Many firearms are equipped with a cylinder head or bolt that is able to be pulled to the rear to enable its removal or displacement for various purposes, such as maintenance, loading, or unloading.

[0003] Usually, the operator needs some tools to free up the bolt, enabling its complete removal from the breech or frame of the firearm. Nowadays, some manufacturers make it possible for operators of some firearms to manually manipulate a component, such as a lever, to release the bolt, eliminating the need to have extra tools. This lever is usually designed to secure the bolt for unintentional removal while it is moving, for example, for chambering and extracting cartridges.

[0004] Similarly, on manually-repeating long firearms without a recuperator spring for the moving assembly of the bolt, the position where the bolt is locked within the breech or, in general, within the frame, usually referred to as the "locked position" must be secured so that the firearm does not open unexpectedly without the consent of the operator. Therefore, a dedicated component such as a lever is used to secure the moving bolt assembly in the locked position.

[0005] It is preferred, in order to increase certainty, that there is an indication in the firearm ensuring that the bolt is in a secured locked position so that the operator can clearly check it or see it so.

[0006] Installing two or more levers in the firearm leads to extra components, cluttered firearms, more expensive firearms, and not necessarily more secure firearms. It is always interesting and preferred to have a multifunctional lever so it can be used to lock the moving bolt assembly in a locked position. At the same time, it can serve to release the bolt assembly from the breech or frame without sacrificing the security level and / or reliability of the firearm.Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a firearm with a multifunctional lever that can assure a smooth release of the bolt assembly from the breech or frame without the use of any additional tools and secure the same bolt assembly in the locked position in an indexed way to make the firearm ready for shooting so that the firearm does not open unexpectedly.

[0008] The present invention is related to a frame for a firearm defining a longitudinal axis A comprising: a longitudinally oriented chamber configured to accommodate a bolt assembly in a locked position wherein the firearm is ready for shooting and in an open position wherein said bolt assembly is in maximal backward position with respect to the frame to load a cartridge, a multifunctional lever enabling to secure and index the bolt assembly in the locked position, to hold the bolt assembly in the open position, and to release the bolt assembly from the frame without the necessity of tools, said multifunctional lever being mounted pivoting around an axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0009] Preferably, the multifunctional lever comprises a spring, said spring being capable of being compressed and decompressed to ensure the pivoting movement of said multifunctional lever.

[0010] Preferably, the spring rests on one side of the frame at least when it is compressed.

[0011] Preferably, the spring is configured to apply a torque to the multifunctional lever.

[0012] Preferably, the multifunctional lever comprises a wall acting as a stop capable of engaging with at least one part of the bolt assembly to prevent unintended rearward motion of the bolt assembly when said bolt assembly is inserted into the frame and positioned in the locked position or in the open position.

[0013] Preferably, the multifunctional lever comprises an indicator system to index the locked position.

[0014] The present invention is related to a firearm comprising the described frame.

[0015] Preferably, the bolt assembly comprises a longitudinal groove co-operating with the multifunctional lever to facilitate the guidance and direction of the bolt assembly as it slides within the longitudinally oriented chamber of the frame.

[0016] Preferably, wherein the longitudinal groove defines a non-straight pattern allowing to change the orientation of the multifunctional lever around the axis B during sliding of the bolt assembly within the longitudinally oriented chamber.

[0017] Preferably, at least part of the bolt assembly is a pin located outside the longitudinally oriented chamber or a portion of a bolt head of the bolt assembly, the wall of the multifunctional lever being engaged respectively with the pin in the locked position and with the portion of the bolt head in the open position.

[0018] Preferably, the pin is located inside the longitudinal groove.

[0019] Preferably, the longitudinal groove defines a longitudinal groove along a portion of the surface of the bot assembly accommodating at least part of the multifunctional lever.

[0020] Preferably, the multifunctional lever is configured to manually disengage the bolt assembly from the locked position without the need for additional tools.

[0021] Preferably, the bolt assembly is configured to transition from the open position to the locked position through manipulation of the bolt assembly, without requiring manipulation of the multifunctional lever and / or the use of additional tools.

[0022] Preferably, the bolt assembly is designed to be released from the longitudinally oriented chamber through manipulation of the multifunctional lever, without requiring any additional tools.

[0023] The present invention is related to a method for securing, holding, and / or releasing the bolt assembly that is accommodated in the frame without requiring the use of any tools, the method comprising the following steps: Inserting the bolt assembly into the longitudinally oriented chamber until the multifunctional lever is engaged with the pin, causing the said multifunctional lever to pivot along the pivot pin under the effect of the spring, thereby securing and indexing the bolt assembly in the locked position, making the firearm ready to fire, Pressing the multifunctional lever to compress the spring, disengaging the said multifunctional lever from the pin after shooting, Pulling the bolt assembly and releasing the multifunctional lever until the said multifunctional lever engages with the bolt head, arresting the bolt assembly in the open position ready to load the cartridge, Pushing the multifunctional lever or pulling the bolt assembly to compress the spring disengaging the said multifunctional lever from the bolt head, Pulling the bolt assembly to release the bolt assembly from the frame.

[0024] Preferably, pushing the bolt assembly in the open position through the longitudinally oriented chamber until engagement of the bolt assembly with the multifunctional lever results in loading the cartridge and / or securing the bolt assembly in the locked position without requiring manipulation of the multifunctional lever and / or the use of additional tools.Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Figure 1 is a general view of the frame with the lever connected to it and a partial view of the firearm with said frame. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the general view of the frame with the lever connecting to it as in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a general view of the bolt assembly. Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the bolt assembly inserted in the frame. Figure 5 is a zoom-in of the cross-section view of Figure 4 where the lever is engaged with the bolt assembly in a locked position. Figure 6 is a cross-section view of the bolt assembly partially inserted in the frame in its maximum open position where the lever is engaged with the bolt head. Figure 7 is a zoom-in of the cross-section view of Figure 6 where the lever is engaged with the bolt head of the bolt assembly in an opening position. Figure 8 is a cross-section view of the bolt assembly disassembled from the frame. Figure 9 is a zoom-in of the cross-section view of Figure 8 showing the lever when the bolt assembly is disassembled from the frame. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The present invention will be described in greater detail in one or more preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended figures and for which elements or details can be combined. The same principle applies when combining elements from the figures that illustrate the principal component of the current invention.

[0027] The expression "locked position" may refer to a position in which the bolt assembly, bolt, or any constituent part thereof is inserted within the frame or breech of the firearm, exhibiting either no potential for movement or, at the very least, a restricted range of motion. Essentially, and more importantly, the "locked position" denotes the condition wherein the bolt assembly is at least partially housed within the chamber of the frame or breech of the firearm, firmly positioned in a secured position, and ready for shooting. The terms "locked position" and "secured position" are interchangeable, as are "locking" and "securing", and "locked" and "secured".

[0028] The expression "open position" may refer to a position in which the bolt assembly, bolt, or any constituent part thereof remains fully or partially inserted within the frame or breech of the firearm. Preferably, the "open position" refers to a position in which, at a minimum, a portion of the bolt assembly is still within the breech or frame of the firearm, positioned maximally backward to facilitate, for example, the unloading of a discharged cartridge and / or the loading of a new cartridge. In the "open position", the bolt assembly may possess the ability to move freely inside the breech or frame but not be disassembled without additional manipulation by the operator.

[0029] In the present invention, when referencing the disassembly of the bolt assembly, it indicates that the said assembly attains a state of unrestricted movement and / or is positioned outside the breech or frame of the firearm, with no part of the firearm impeding or obstructing the disassembly of the bolt assembly from the firearm. Conversely, when the bolt assembly is described as being assembled in the firearm, it means that the bolt assembly may be in a "locked position" or "open position" as defined earlier, but is at least partially inserted within the breech or frame and cannot be disassembled from the firearm without additional manipulation of any component of the firearm by the operator, either with or without using a tool.

[0030] Figure 1 is a general view of the receiver or frame 1 of the firearm, defining a longitudinal axis denoted as A. The frame 1 comprises a longitudinally oriented chamber 9 designed for housing the bolt 5 or the bolt assembly 5 if the bolt is composed of multiple parts (presented in Figure 3). The chamber 9 may preferably be characterized by a cylindrical section, although alternative shapes are also viable. Additionally, the frame 1 may consist of multiple parts that may be affixed together to constitute the frame 1 or form a hollow chamber 9 capable of at least partially accommodating the bolt assembly 5.

[0031] According to the invention, the frame 1 comprises a lever 2, and preferably only one lever, extending inside the chamber 9 for cooperation with the bolt assembly 5. The lever 2 is mounted pivoting on said frame 1 around an axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, as shown in Figure 1. The lever 2 may be mounted pivoting through a singular pivot pin 3 positioned on one side of the frame 1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, defining the axis B. In other words, the lever 2 may have the capability to pivot, at least partially, along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, representing the sliding axis of the bolt assembly 5. In more detail, while the bolt assembly 5 may longitudinally slide within the chamber 9 of the frame 1, the lever 2 may pivot perpendicularly to the axis A, defining the sliding movement of the bolt assembly 5. More than one pivot pin 3 may be employed to connect the lever 2 to the frame 1 without compromising its pivotal functionality.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment not represented, the connection between the lever 2 and the frame 1 may be established through a screw positioned in a perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis A. This configuration may enable the lever 2 to pivot along the axis B.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the pivot pin 3 may be eliminated. Specifically, the lever 2 may designed to include a pin on each side, thereby creating an integral, monobloc pivot axis with the lever 2.

[0034] Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of Figure 1, offering a more detailed representation of the connection between the lever 2 and the frame 1, secured by the previously mentioned pivot pin 3. The positioning of the pivot pin 3 may not be centralized along the length of the lever 2. It is noteworthy that the lever 2 may possess two opposing longitudinal ends, separated by the pivot pin 3, such that depressing, pushing down, or lowering one end causes the other end to rise or lift up, and vice versa. To distinguish between the two ends, the end located on the side facing the entrance of the bolt assembly 5 is referred to as the external end 2', while the end situated on the opposite side, i.e., the side toward the depth of the breech or the frame 1, is designated as the internal end 2".

[0035] In the present embodiment, a spring 4 may be positioned near one end of the lever 2, preferably near the end where the bolt assembly 5 enters the chamber 9 of the frame 1, i.e., the external end 2'. The spring 4 is designed to compress and decompress, facilitating the pivotal movement of the lever 2 and the return to the steady state position of the lever under the effect of the spring return force. Preferably, the spring 4 is housed in a cavity 20 of the lever 2 facing the inside of the frame 1 with one end of the spring 4 resting on the wall of the frame 1 at least when it is compressed. In more detail, when a force is applied to one end of the lever 2, preferably the external end 2', this external end 2' is pushed toward the frame 1 and, consequently, toward the bolt assembly 5. Simultaneously, the other end (the internal end 2") rises or moves away from the frame 1 and, correspondingly, from the bolt assembly 5. Releasing the applied force on the external end 2' in this embodiment may lead to the decompression of spring 4, resulting in the retraction of the external end 2' and the descent or lowering of the internal end 2" toward the frame 1 and, consequently, toward the bolt assembly 5. The pivotal movement of the lever 2 is facilitated by the pivot pin 3 located between the external end 2' and the internal end 2", ensuring the retraction and descent of both ends (2' and 2") of the lever 2.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment not represented, a lamellar spring, a torsion spring, a sheet spring, a rubber block, or any other component capable of providing a spring function for facilitating the retraction and / or descent of the external end 2' and / or the internal end 2" may be employed.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the lever 2 is provided with a wall 11 extending from the side of the internal end 2". The wall 11 is configured to engage a part of the bolt assembly 5, like a pin 7 in the example illustrated, in order to act as a stop for preventing unintended rearward motion of the bolt assembly 5 when it is inserted into the frame 1 and positioned in the locked position. Wall 11 may not necessarily be integral with the lever 2 and may be composed of one or more parts attached to the lever 2 in a manner allowing retraction or descent toward the frame 1 or the bolt assembly 5. Furthermore, more than one wall 11 may be configured to engage one or more distinct parts of the bolt assembly 5. Similarly, the external end 2' may include one or more walls that may engage with the bolt assembly 5. According to another embodiment, a hook or a notch may be employed in the internal end 2" and / or external end 2' to engage with one or more parts from the bolt assembly 5.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a general view of the bolt assembly 5, encompassing key components such as the bolt handle 8, the bolt head 6, and the pin 7 aforementioned. The pin 7 may be affixed to the bolt assembly 5 in a manner perpendicular to the axis of said bolt assembly 5, aligning with the longitudinal axis A of the frame 1 into which the bolt assembly 5 is intended to be inserted. For example, the axis of the pin 7 could be parallel to the pivoting axis B. The bolt assembly 5 is further provided with a longitudinal groove 12 designed to facilitate the guidance and direction of the bolt assembly 5 as it slides within the chamber 9 of the frame 1 by engaging with the lever 2. In the illustrated variant, the pin 7 is located inside the longitudinal groove 12. Preferably, this longitudinal groove 12 defines a non-straight pattern allowing to change the orientation of the lever 2 around the pivot pin 3 during the sliding of the bolt assembly 5 within the chamber 9.

[0039] In another embodiment, the longitudinal groove 12 may be replaced by a cylindrical configuration of the bolt assembly 5, incorporating conical ramps designed to guide the pivoting movement of the lever 2 along the surface of the bolt assembly 5. The angle of inclination of these ramps may affect the pivoting motion of the lever 2 when moving along the ramp. Furthermore, additional shapes or profiles may be integrated into either the ramps or the cylindrical surface of the bolt assembly 5 to assist in securing or positioning the lever 2 in a specific pivoting position.

[0040] The pin 7 is designed to interact with the wall 11 of the lever 2, and more specifically to abut against the wall 11, serving as a mechanism to prevent unintended rearward motion of the bolt assembly 5 when it is inserted into the frame 1 and positioned in the locked position, precisely when the internal end 2" is lowered towards the bolt assembly 5. In Figure 4, a cross-sectional view clearly illustrates the bolt assembly 5 inserted into the frame 1 in its locked position, with the pin 7 securely engaged with the wall 11 of the lever 2, as indicated by arrow C. This specific configuration ensures that the bolt assembly 5 remains securely locked inside the frame 1, significantly reducing or eliminating the risk of undesired spontaneous rearward movement and consequent disassembly without the intent of the operator. Termed the "locked position", this configuration may signify that the firearm 50 is prepared for firing.

[0041] Figure 5 illustrates a zoom-in of the engagement between the lever 2 and the pin 7 of the bolt assembly 5 through its wall 11, representing the locked position. The slope of the inner longitudinal side of the lever 2, in contact with the groove 12, eases the entrance, sliding, guidance, and insertion of the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 of the frame 1. This is facilitated when the spring 4 is at least partially decompressed, causing the external end 2' to be pushed out to its maximum position.

[0042] It is worth mentioning that when referring to the interaction or abutment of the pin 7 with the wall 11, it does not necessarily imply the entire wall 11 or its planar surface. The pin 7 may also interact with or abut a radius forming or connecting the wall 11 or any other surface directly forming the lever 2. Additionally, the pin 7 may interact with or abut the lever 2 indirectly through one or more intermediate components.

[0043] Prior to inserting the bolt assembly 5 into the frame 1, the spring 4 of the lever 2 may be partially decompressed, allowing the retraction of the external end 2' and the descent of the internal end 2" toward the frame 1 through the pivoting of the lever 2 around the pivot pin 3. As the bolt assembly 5 enters and slides within the chamber 9 by simple manipulation of the bolt handle 8, the lever 2, specifically the internal end 2" with its associated wall 11, may come into contact and may be displaced by the pattern of the groove 12. The internal end 2" comprising the wall 11 may follow the internal pattern of the groove 12 by the partial compression or decompression of the spring 4 maintaining constant contact between a portion of the lever 2 and the groove 12 situated on the side of the bolt assembly 5.

[0044] In more detail, when the internal pattern of the groove 12 makes contact with a portion of the lever 2, specifically with the portion comprising the wall 11, the internal end 2" of the lever 2 may descend toward the direction of the bolt assembly 5 in the presence of a valley pattern within the groove 12. Conversely, if the internal pattern or trajectory of the groove 12 features a peak, the internal end 2" of the lever may be pushed out. Consequently, with the spring 4 partially decompressed within the lever 2, the external end 2' of the lever 2 may remain pushed out from the bolt assembly 5, while the internal end 2" may remain pushed down toward the bolt assembly 5, establishing a stable and steady state position. The spring 4 may partially compress or decompress when the internal end 2" is pushed out by the insertion of the bolt assembly 5 upon the groove 12 contacting the lever 2. The pivot pin 3 may ensure the responsive pivoting of the lever 2, facilitating the alternation between the descent and ascent of the internal end 2" and the external end 2'.

[0045] The pin 7 may be positioned at a recessed level aligned with the overall internal groove 12 level, allowing the internal end 2" to descend toward the bolt assembly 5 or be pulled down to its maximum extent. Thus, when the wall 11 of the lever 2, engages with the pin 7, it may impede any backward movement of the bolt assembly 5 and places the bolt assembly 5 in the locked position. More precisely, the backward movement may not be prevented but is conditioned or restricted by a limit to the effort required to move. This locked position may be a result of the forces applied by the spring 4, which may push out the external end 2' and therefore push down the internal end 2" (Arrow D). Once again, the pivot pin 3 ensures the pivotal movement of the lever 2 while both ends (external end 2' and internal end 2") are pushed down or pushed out.

[0046] The lever 2, as depicted in Figure 5, features the wall 11 designed to engage with the pin 7. Preferably, the surface of the wall 11 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and, therefore, perpendicular to the sliding movement of the bolt assembly 5 when accommodated inside the chamber 9 of the frame 1. Various types of indicator systems, such as but not limited to marks, symbols, colors, or any other sign types, may be incorporated onto the lever 2 or / and the frame 1, preferably on a side visible to the operator. This enables the operator to easily verify whether the bolt assembly 5 is securely in the locked position. Since the lever 2 is partially housed within the frame 1 of the firearm 50, its pivotal movement along the pivot pin 3 reveals or conceals a portion of the lever 2 that might variate with each pivot of the external end 2' or the internal end 2". The various types of indications mentioned above may be introduced to this visible, changeable portion that indicates and / or indexes the locked or open position. Additional systems, including digital or audible indicators, may be integrated into the lever 2 to inform the operator about the position of the bolt assembly 5, or more precisely, if the bolt assembly 5 is in the locked position or not.

[0047] Figure 6 shows an overview of the bolt assembly 5 that is partially inserted within the frame 1 in an open position. This open position may represent the state of the bolt assembly 5 when it is either retracted for unloading an empty shot cartridge or loading a new cartridge. When the lever 2 is in its default or steady state position, meaning that when the lever 2 is not being manipulated by the operator, the spring 4 may at least be partially decompressed to push out the external end 2', consequently pushing down the internal end 2". With the said internal end 2" in its closest position toward the bolt assembly 5, the bolt head 6 that is part of the bolt assembly 5 may become engaged with the lever 2, more precisely with the wall 11 of the lever 2. This engagement prevents the bolt head 6 and, therefore, the entire bolt assembly 5 from being entirely disassembled from the frame 1.

[0048] The open position of the bolt assembly 5 indicates its retracted state. This retraction may serve the extraction and / or ejection of an empty cartridge case or unfired ammunition. Additionally, opening the bolt assembly 5 may serve as a preliminary step for loading ammunition into the chamber 9, either through the magazine or by manually inserting the cartridge into the chamber 9. Furthermore, opening the bolt assembly 5 may allow for verification that the chamber 9 is free of ammunition.

[0049] In the present invention, the lever 2 is designed to engage not only with the bolt head 6 via the wall 11 but also with the frame 1. The lever 2 may abut the frame 1 at its internal end 2". Depending on the specific geometry of the lever 2, bolt head 6, and frame 1, the lever 2 may abut either the bolt head 6 alone, the frame 1 alone, or both from different sides to ensure the same functionality by preventing the bolt head 6 and / or the bolt assembly 5 from being entirely disassembled from the frame 1.

[0050] Figure 6 further illustrates the lever 2 as being partially engaged or housed within the longitudinal groove 12, designed on the side of the bolt assembly 5. This configuration may facilitate the guidance of the bolt assembly 5, ensuring its linear sliding within the frame 1 without the risk of possible rotation, unless the groove 12 is designed with a pattern that has at least a partial spiral shape so that the bolt assembly 5 may perform a combined sliding and rotating movement as seen for example in bolt action rifles.

[0051] In the close-up view presented in Figure 7, the engagement or interaction between the bolt assembly 5 and the lever 2, specifically the engagement of the bolt head 6 with the wall 11, is clearly illustrated. In the present embodiment, the same wall 11 that engages with the pin 7 (as shown in Figure 5) to lock the bolt assembly 5 in the locked position is now interacting with the bolt head 6. A second wall or edge may be added or incorporated into the internal end 2" or the external end 2' of the lever 2 to engage with any part of the bolt head 6 or any other component of the bolt assembly 5. This may serve to halt the backward sliding of the bolt assembly 5 at a specific position, preventing its disassembly from the frame 1 while still allowing for the loading and / or unloading of the cartridges or any operation requiring the bolt assembly 5 to be in the open position.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, a pin or additional components may be introduced to any part of the bolt assembly 5, ensuring that the bolt assembly 5 will remain in an open position without any possibility of complete disassembly.

[0053] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bolt assembly 5 disengaging from the frame 1. In the present embodiment, when the lever 2 is manipulated, the external end 2' is pushed toward the bolt assembly 5 (indicated by arrow E), and the internal end 2" of the lever 2 is raised, clearing the path for the bolt assembly 5 for disassembly from the frame 1 by simple pulling of the bolt assembly 5 by the operator. The lever 2 may be released once the bolt head 6 no longer engages with the wall 11, allowing the bolt assembly to be disassembled and made available for maintenance, cleaning, or any other necessary operation.

[0054] The bolt assembly 5 may be inserted and pushed into the chamber 9 of the frame 1 without requiring any manipulation of the lever 2, thanks to the geometric design of the lever 2. In more detail, the lever 2 features a slope oriented in the direction of the entrance of the bolt assembly 5 into the frame 1. As the bolt assembly 5 slides from the entrance to the inside of the frame 1, the upward-trending slope causes the internal end 2" to be pushed out, consequently compressing the spring 4.

[0055] During the insertion of the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 of the frame 1, once the bolt head 6 surpasses the wall 11 of the lever 2, the bolt assembly 5 may continue its insertion inside the frame 1 until it is securely locked in the locked position. This locking may be achieved by engaging the pin 7 with the wall 11 of the lever 2, facilitated by a simple push of the bolt assembly 5 into the frame 1 without any need to manipulate the lever 2. However, the bolt assembly 5 may not be able to be pulled back further than distal part of the bolt head 6, unless the lever 2 is manipulated, specifically by pushing the external end 2'.

[0056] Figure 9 shows a zoom-in of the cross-section, illustrating the bolt assembly 5 in two possible scenarios, either its extraction from the frame 1 or its insertion into the frame 1. In the first scenario, the lever 2 may be released, specifically, the pushing forces at the external end 2' may be released once the bolt head 6 disengages from the wall 11. In the second scenario, the operator may push the external end 2' of the lever 2 to facilitate the smooth entry and sliding of the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 of the frame 1. The operator may maintain pushing forces at the external end 2' of the lever 2 while sliding backward or forward the bolt assembly 5, although this is not obligatory. If the intention is to lock the bolt assembly 5 in the locked position, it should be pushed into the frame 1 to its maximum extent, and then the lever 2 needs to be released if it is not, allowing the spring 4 to decompress, at least partially, causing the wall 11 to engage with the pin 7 of the bolt assembly 5. Alternatively, the operator may simply position and push the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 of the frame 1 without manipulating the lever 2, as mentioned above.

[0057] It is important to mention that the lever 2 may perform multiple functions, including but not limited to locking the bolt assembly 5 within the frame 1 in a locked position, making the firearm 50 ready for firing, unlocking the bolt assembly 5 by transitioning it from a locked position to an open position so it becomes free to move within the frame 1, indexing both the locked and open positions, guiding the sliding movement of the bolt assembly 5 within the frame 1 with or without rotational movement, and facilitating the disassembly of the bolt assembly 5 from the frame 1. The lever 2 not only offers multifunctionality but also eliminates the necessity for additional tools. In other words, the lever 2 may be configured to execute all the mentioned functions without the need for external tools, providing an advantageous and convenient solution without compromising on security.

[0058] The lever 2 may comprise a textured surface or gripping structure designed to facilitate easy manipulation, ensuring convenience without the requirement for additional tools and minimizing the risk of slipping for the operator's finger.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the spring 4 or suitable alternatives may be positioned within the internal end 2" or in any relevant region within either the lever 2 or the frame 1. This placement ensures the movement of the multifunctional lever 2, allowing it to act as a hindering element for locking the bolt assembly in specific positions, indexing its various positions, and guiding the bolt assembly 5 during its sliding within the frame 1.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the lever 2 may vary in terms of shapes, sizes, or dimensions. Additionally, the mobility of the lever 2 may not be restricted solely to a pivoting movement. It may be crafted to execute different motions or a combination of movements. This multipurpose design may allow at least a portion of the lever 2 to function as a blocking and / or locking element, securing the bolt assembly 5 in a specific position within the frame 1 and / or inhibiting its disassembly from the frame 1.

[0061] According to another embodiment, the lever 2 may be positioned at any location within the frame 1, on the bolt assembly 5, or at any other part of the firearm 50, provided that this location allows for the intended functionality of partially or fully opening the bolt assembly 5.

[0062] The lever 2 may facilitate a tool-free method for inserting, locking, indexing, arresting, and / or releasing the bolt assembly 5 within or from the frame 1. Starting with the insertion of the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 of the frame 1, the operator may easily position the end of the bolt assembly 5, where the bolt head 6 is located, into the entrance of the frame 1. A simple push by the operator, preferably using the bolt handle 8, ensures the proper placement of the bolt assembly 5 within the chamber 9.

[0063] As the bolt head 6 may be centred into the entrance of the frame 1, a simple push by the operator ensures the bolt assembly 5 finds its position inside the chamber 9. Additionally, the laterally located longitudinal groove 12 on the bolt assembly 5 may play a dual role in positioning and guiding the bolt assembly 5 within the chamber 9 along a defined path, minimizing the risk of rotation.

[0064] When the bolt assembly 5, more precisely the bolt head 6, makes contact with the lever 2 when it is pushed by the operator, the spring 4 may compress gradually, causing the lever 2 to pivot along the pivot pin 3. The insertion of the bolt assembly 5 into the chamber 9 may not necessarily require any manipulation of the lever. Upon reaching its maximum position within the chamber 9, the pin 7 may engage with the wall 11 of the lever 2, securing the bolt assembly 5 in a locked position, making the firearm 50 ready for firing. The locked position may cause the lever 2 to pivot from one position (open position) to another position (locked position), providing a visual and / or auditable indication that the bolt assembly 5 is securely locked, eliminating the risk of unintended opening, or at least presenting a low risk of unintended opening without the consent of the operator.

[0065] The method further comprises transitioning the bolt assembly 5 from a locked position to an open position, requiring the disengagement of the wall 11 and the pin 7. In the present invention, exerting pressure on the lever 2, or more precisely, by pushing down the external part 2, may initiate the compression of the spring 4. This compressing may result in the pivoting of the lever 2 along the pivot pin 3, causing the retraction of the internal end 2" and thereby disengaging the wall 11 of the lever 2 from the pin 7. This disengagement may be achieved in conjunction with the straightforward pull of the bolt assembly 5, facilitated by pulling the bolt handle 8.

[0066] In the present invention, the disengagement of the wall 11 of the lever 2 from the pin 7 may also be achieved by increasing the pulling force applied to the bolt assembly 5 until it exceeds a certain limit, allowing backward movement. In other words, the bolt assembly 5 may move backward without exerting pressure on the lever 2. Due to the shape, geometry, and contact angles of the pin 7 and the wall 11, the increased pulling force may cause the pin 7, which is part of the bolt assembly 5, to slide along the slope of the wall 11, pushing the internal end 2" and enabling disengagement. Consequently, the spring 4 may follow the forced pivot movement of the lever 2 resulting from the exceeded pulling force applied on the bolt assembly 5 and compresses.

[0067] Once the bolt assembly 5 is in an open position, it may freely slide backward and forward within the chamber 9 of the frame 1 through the simple manipulation of the bolt handle 8. The lever 2 may engage with the longitudinal groove 12 of the bolt assembly 5 so that the said bolt assembly 5 may be guided to facilitate its linear sliding trajectory inside the frame 1. While the bolt assembly 5 is in the open position, there is no requirement to continually push or maintain pressure on the lever 2 to manipulate the movement of the bolt assembly 5. The furthest backward position in the open position may occur when the bolt assembly 5 hits the wall 11 of the lever 2, halted by the edge of the bolt head 6, preventing further backward movement and disassembly from the frame 1. Conversely, the farthest forward position in the open position is reached when the bolt assembly 5, specifically the pin 7 engages with the wall 11 of the lever 2, causing it to transition from an open position to a locked position.

[0068] When the bolt assembly 5 reaches the maximum backward position within the open position, the lever 2 may engage with the edge of the bolt head 6, effectively halting the bolt assembly 5 in the open position, facilitating the cartridge loading and / or unloading. In case the operator wants to disassemble the bolt assembly 5 from the frame 1 for any reason, the lever 2, and more precisely, the external end 2' may be manipulated or pushed. This manipulation may compress the spring 4, enabling the rotation or pivoting of the lever 2 around the pivot pin 3 and subsequently retracting the internal end 2", allowing disengagement from the edge of the bolt head 6. In other words, manipulating the lever 2 by pushing the external end 2' may facilitate the retraction of the internal end 2", clearing the path for the bolt assembly 5 and specifically the bolt head 6 to continue further its backward movement, thereby exiting the chamber 9 of the frame 1 and becoming free from or disassembled from the frame 1. This manipulation of the lever 2 may be synchronized with the pulling action of the bolt assembly 5 facilitated by gripping and pulling the bolt handle 8.

[0069] In the present invention, similar to the disengagement of the wall 11 of the lever 2 from the pin 7, increasing the pulling force while the bolt assembly 5 is in the open position until it exceeds a certain limit may lead to the disassembly of the bolt assembly 5 from the frame 1. The edge of the bolt assembly 5 in its open position, when pulled with sufficient force, may push the lever 2, forcing it to pivot and clear the wall 11 from the path of the bolt assembly 5. Consequently, the spring 4 may follow the forced pivot movement of the lever 2 resulting from the exceeded pulling force applied on the bolt assembly 5 and compresses.

[0070] The method for locking, indexing, arresting, and / or releasing the bolt assembly 5 may not require being held in order, and the steps can be executed in any order, partially or entirely. It is permissible to repeat one or more steps before proceeding to the next. It is evident to a person skilled in the art that steps can be rearranged or skipped while achieving the same outcome. Regardless of the sequence of the steps, the method may ensure the secure locking of the bolt assembly 5 within the chamber 9 of the frame 1 of the firearm 50, ready for firing, with no risk of unintended opening sure to the engagement of the lever 2 with the bolt assembly 5.

[0071] The lever 2 may serve to index the locked position, aiding the operator in recognizing that the bolt assembly 5 is securely locked. Moreover, the same lever 2, may be manipulated in combination with pulling out the bolt assembly 5 using the bolt handle 8 to unlock it, transitioning from a locked position to an open position. This may enable free movement or sliding within the chamber 9 without risk of disassembly, facilitated by the guidance provided by the lever 2 engaging with the longitudinal groove 12 of the bolt assembly 5. The said lever 2 may also serve as an indexer for the open position, assisting the operator in identifying when the bolt assembly 5 is in the open position. Ultimately, the lever 2 may facilitate the disassembly of the bolt assembly 5 from the frame 1. This disassembly may be achieved through manipulation of the lever 2 combined with the pulling out of the bolt assembly 5 via the bolt handle 8, all without the need for any tools.

Claims

1. A frame (1) for a firearm (50) defining a longitudinal axis (A) comprising: - a longitudinally oriented chamber (9) configured to accommodate a bolt assembly (5) in a locked position wherein the firearm (50) is ready for shooting and in an open position wherein said bolt assembly (5) is in maximal backward position with respect to the frame (1) to load a cartridge (10), - a multifunctional lever (2) enabling to secure and index the bolt assembly (5) in the locked position, to hold the bolt assembly (5) in the open position, and to release the bolt assembly (5) from the frame (1) without the necessity of tools, said multifunctional lever (2) being mounted pivoting (1) around an axis (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A).

2. The frame (1) for the firearm (50) according to claim 1, wherein the multifunctional lever (2) comprises a spring (4), said spring (4) being capable of being compressed and decompressed to ensure the pivoting movement of said multifunctional lever (2).

3. The frame (1) for the firearm (50) according to the preceding claim, wherein the spring (4) rests on one side of the frame (1) at least when it is compressed.

4. The frame (1) for the firearm (50) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the spring (4) is configured to apply a torque to the multifunctional lever (2).

5. The frame (1) for the firearm (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the multifunctional lever (2) comprises a wall (11) acting as a stop capable of engaging with at least one part of the bolt assembly (5) to prevent unintended rearward motion of the bolt assembly (5) when said bolt assembly (5) is inserted into the frame (1) and positioned in the locked position or in the open position.

6. The frame (1) for the firearm (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the multifunctional lever (2) comprises an indicator system to index the locked position.

7. A firearm (50) comprising the frame (1) according to any of the preceding claims and the bolt assembly (5), wherein the bolt assembly (5) comprises a longitudinal groove (12) co-operating with the multifunctional lever (2) to facilitate the guidance and direction of the bolt assembly (5) as it slides within the longitudinally oriented chamber (9) of the frame (1).

8. The firearm (50) according to claim 7, wherein the longitudinal groove (12) defines a non-straight pattern allowing to change the orientation of the multifunctional lever (2) around the axis (B) during sliding of the bolt assembly (5) within the longitudinally oriented chamber (9).

9. The firearm (50) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said at least part of the bolt assembly (5) is a pin (7) located outside the longitudinally oriented chamber (9) or a portion of a bolt head (6) of the bolt assembly (5), the wall (11) of the multifunctional lever (2) being engaged respectively with the pin (7) in the locked position and with the portion of the bolt head (6) in the open position.

10. The firearm (50) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pin (7) is located inside the longitudinal groove (12).

11. The firearm (50) according to any of the claims 7 to 10, wherein the longitudinal groove (12) defines a longitudinal groove along a portion of the surface of the bolt assembly (5) accommodating at least part of the multifunctional lever (2).

12. The firearm (50) according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein : - the multifunctional lever (2) is configured to manually disengage the bolt assembly (5) from the locked position without the need for additional tools, - the bolt assembly (5) is configured to transition from the open position to the locked position through manipulation of the bolt assembly (5), without requiring manipulation of the multifunctional lever (2) and / or the use of additional tools, - the bolt assembly (5) is designed to be released from the longitudinally oriented chamber (9) through manipulation of the multifunctional lever (2), without requiring any additional tools.

13. A method for securing, holding, and / or releasing the bolt assembly (5) that is accommodated in the frame (1) according to any of the claims 7 to 12, without requiring the use of any tools, the method comprising the following steps: - Inserting the bolt assembly (5) into the longitudinally oriented chamber (9) until the multifunctional lever (2) is engaged with the pin (7), causing the said multifunctional lever (2) to pivot along the pivot pin (3) under the effect of the spring (4), thereby securing and indexing the bolt assembly (5) in the locked position, making the firearm (50) ready to fire, - Pressing the multifunctional lever (2) to compress the spring (4), disengaging the said multifunctional lever (2) from the pin (7) after shooting, - Pulling the bolt assembly (5) and releasing the multifunctional lever (2) until the said multifunctional lever (2) engages with the bolt head (6), arresting the bolt assembly (5) in the open position ready to load the cartridge (10), - Pushing the multifunctional lever (2) or pulling the bolt assembly (5) to compress the spring (4) disengaging the said multifunctional lever (2) from the bolt head (6), - Pulling the bolt assembly (5) to release the bolt assembly (5) from the frame (1).

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein, pushing the bolt assembly (5) in the open position through the longitudinally oriented chamber (9) until engagement of the bolt assembly (5) with the multifunctional lever (2) results in loading the cartridge (10) and / or securing the bolt assembly (5) in the locked position without requiring manipulation of the multifunctional lever (2) and / or the use of additional tools.

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