Break-Barrel Firearm Locking With Independent Axial Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing break-barrel firearms suffer from complex closing devices that lead to non-linear and unbalanced movements, high wear, and laborious assembly, making them unreliable and prone to degradation.
Innovation Solution
A closing device with a pair of independent clamping elements and buffers that exert an axial thrust force in parallel to the thrust of the respective buffers, which are mounted on a parallel thrust force in parallel to and/or substantially along the development axis of the respective closing element, reducing wear and facilitating automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If elastic elements work off-axis in the closing device, then the closing device can provide the necessary closing force, but the clamping elements experience non-linear and unbalanced movements resulting in high wear
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having elastic elements work off-axis as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by arranging elastic elements to work in-line with the clamping elements' movement direction. This causes the clamping elements to move linearly and balancedly along their longitudinal axes, dramatically reducing wear while still providing the necessary closing force.
2Reliability
If the closing device uses conventional latch or bolt mechanisms, then the barrel group can be secured, but the structural complexity makes assembly laborious and difficult to automate
Solution Approach 1:
The closing device is segmented into independent clamping elements that move along their own longitudinal axes within individual guide channels. Each clamping element operates independently with its own elastic element, simplifying the overall structure and making assembly more straightforward and amenable to automation while maintaining secure locking of the barrel group.
3Reliability
If the clamping elements are coupled to buffers with axial thrust force, then the movements become completely linear and balanced reducing wear, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer function directly into the guide channel structure, where the guide channel itself provides the axial thrust force through its geometry and positioning. This integration eliminates the need for separate buffer components while still achieving completely linear and balanced movements of the clamping elements, reducing overall device complexity.
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
The solution provides a reliable, versatile, and long-lasting closing mechanism with reduced wear, allowing for easy assembly and effective actuation through various actuation elements, ensuring smooth operation and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of buffers each coupled to a respective clamping element so as to exert an axial thrust force on the respective clamping element substantially in parallel to and/or substantially along the respective longitudinal development axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention concerns a firearm (10) comprising at least one frame (11); and a barrel group (12) comprising at least one barrel, the barrel group (12) being mounted in a tilting manner with respect to the frame (11), wherein the frame (11) houses at least one closing device (30) configured to act between the frame (11) and the barrel group (12) so as to selectively prevent the frame of the barrel group (12) from tilting with respect to the frame (11), and is characterized in that the closing device (30) comprises at least one pair of clamping elements (31',31") with longitudinal development independent of each other, the clamping elements (31',31") being slidably housed inside the frame (11), each along its own longitudinal development axis (B',B"); and at least one pair of buffers (32,33) each coupled to a respective clamping element (31',31") so as to exert an axial thrust force on the respective clamping element (31',31") substantially in parallel to and/or substantially along the respective longitudinal development axis (B',B").