Adjustable Forend Stock Latch Mechanism for Tool-Free Firearm Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing break action firearms face challenges in disassembling and reassembling the forend stock, particularly due to lack of adjustable settings, which can lead to misalignment and accuracy issues, and require tools for attachment and detachment, making them cumbersome and difficult in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable and releasable forend stock system featuring a housing lug with a threaded rod, a coupler with an extended flange, and a latch bolt acted upon by a resilient component, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without tools, and accommodating adjustments for precise fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a screw is used to attach the forend stock to the barrel, then the attachment becomes simpler and cost is reduced, but the user requires a tool (wrench) to tighten or loosen the screw, which must be carried with the weapon, bringing the risk of the tool being lost and requiring additional time for the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tool requirement from the attachment process by designing a lever-operated latch mechanism that can be operated directly by the user's hand. The lever (component 40) acts as a manual tool integrated into the firearm structure, eliminating the need for external wrenches or screwdrivers. This allows the user to attach and detach the forend stock without carrying separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the lever-operated latch system. The user can directly manipulate the lever (40) to engage or disengage the latch bolt (30) and secure or release the forend stock, without requiring external assistance or specialized tools. The system serves itself through intuitive manual operation.
2Ease of operation
If a lever or button mechanism is used to engage and disengage the barrel/forend stock from the buttstock/receiver assembly, then the operation time is reduced and no tool is needed, but the system becomes difficult to adjust for misalignment caused by wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustability into the lever-operated latch system by allowing the position of the latch bolt (30) and the lever (40) attachment point on the housing lug (10) to be modified. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to wear and alignment changes while maintaining quick operation. The threaded rod (15) and coupler (20) assembly allows for positional adjustments without compromising the speed of attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in geometric parameters such as the position of the coupler (20) on the threaded rod (15) and the orientation of the latch bolt (30). These parameter changes enable adjustment for misalignment caused by wear and tear, while the overall lever-operated mechanism maintains its advantage of quick operation without requiring tools.
3Ease of operation
If the forend stock is made removable and releasable to facilitate disassembly, then ease of disassembly is improved, but alignment accuracy may be compromised due to wear and tear over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustment capabilities that allow the user to pre-correct for wear and tear by adjusting the position of the coupler (20) on the threaded rod (15) and the latch bolt (30) positioning. This preliminary adjustment ensures that even after repeated assembly and disassembly operations, the alignment accuracy is maintained by compensating for accumulated wear before it affects performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and secure attachment and detachment of the forend stock, maintaining accuracy and ease of use, even in remote areas, with the ability to adjust for wear and tear, reducing the need for complex tools and minimizing time required for assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient component, such that the latch bolt secures the forend stock to the barrel assembly when in a locked position
Data Source
AI summary
A forend stock for a break open firearm having a housing lug, the housing lug being attached into the lower side of the barrel assembly. A coupler is secured onto the housing lug. At the coupler end opposite the housing lug rod, there is a cylindrical area, and between the two coupler ends, another finished area forming an extended flange. The extended flange has a larger diameter than the cylindrical ends of the coupler. A latch bolt is secured to the forend stock by a cover plate. The latch bolt is topped at one of its ends with a sharp bevel. At its other end, it has a cylindrical post to support a pressure spring, and is held in a longitudinal channel or recess, and arranged such that a user can access an actuator knob for manual handling of the latch bolt. The cover plate assembly has an aperture which the ledges of an extended protrusion of the latch bolt fit within, defining the forward and backward travel limits that the bolt can go in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the barrel.