Firearm Breech Lock with Pivotable Cam End Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a handgun to efficiently open and extract outsized cartridges like the .50 BMG is challenging due to significant intra-chamber forces and the need for specialized recoil reduction mechanisms, as existing systems struggle with breech opening and cartridge extraction in ultra-pressurized environments.
Innovation Solution
A breech system featuring a pivotable cam end plate connected to an independently pivotable arm, which provides mechanical advantage through cam leverage to open the breech lock and a pivotable lever for extracting fired cartridges, allowing for easier access and removal in a handgun.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional breech systems are used in handguns firing outsized cartridges, then the firearm can be compact, but the effort required to open the breech lock and extract cartridges becomes excessively high due to ultra-pressurized environments
Solution Approach 1:
The breech lock system employs a pivotable cam end plate connected to an independently pivotable arm, creating a dynamic mechanical linkage that adapts its leverage ratio based on the operational phase. During breech opening, the cam mechanism transforms the operator's input force into amplified camming action that overcomes the ultra-pressurized environment. The system transitions from a static conventional latch to a dynamic cam-based mechanism that provides variable mechanical advantage throughout the opening stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam end plate acts as an intermediary element between the pivotable arm and the breech lock. This camming mechanism mediates the force transmission by converting linear or rotational motion into amplified camming action, which then acts on the breech lock to overcome the high intra-chamber forces. The extractor similarly uses a pivotable lever as an intermediary to amplify the extraction force against the expanded cartridge.
2Ease of operation
If conventional breech systems are used in handguns firing outsized cartridges, then the firearm structure can be simpler, but the difficulty of extracting expanded cartridges increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor mechanism employs a pivotable lever that creates dynamic mechanical advantage during the extraction stroke. As the lever pivots, its geometry changes to optimize the force application point, providing maximum leverage when extracting the expanded cartridge from the chamber. This dynamic adjustment of leverage ratio throughout the extraction motion reduces operator effort without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The breech system is segmented into distinct functional components: the breech lock with cam end plate, the pivotable arm, and the extractor with pivotable lever. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability. The camming action of the end plate handles breech opening, while the pivotable lever handles extraction, dividing the complex task into manageable segments.
3Power
If larger caliber cartridges are fired from handguns, then firepower is increased, but the intra-chamber forces create outsized cartridge expansion that complicates extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of high intra-chamber forces that cause cartridge expansion into a beneficial mechanical advantage. The camming mechanism and pivotable lever are designed to work with the expanded cartridge dimensions, using the expansion itself as part of the extraction mechanics. The cam profile and lever geometry are optimized to engage the expanded cartridge case, transforming the problem of expansion into an advantage for extraction leverage.
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 breech system effectively reduces the effort required to open the breech lock and extract cartridges by leveraging mechanical advantage, enabling efficient handling of powerful rounds in handguns.
Implementation Method 1
The pivotable end plate may be connected to an independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position to allow breech access. The pivotable cam end plate and pivotable arm may be capable of a plurality of movements within the same plane in order to optimize leverage and cam action for opening the breech lock.
Implementation Method 2
The pivotable end plate may be connected to an independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position to allow breech access.
Implementation Method 3
a camming cartridge extractor with a pivotable lever for extracting a fired cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include a breech system comprising, first, a breech lock with a pivotable cam end plate for accessing a firearm breech and, second, a camming cartridge extractor with a pivotable lever for extracting a fired cartridge. The pivotable cam end plate may be connected to an independently pivotable arm that is operable as a lever for moving the cam end plate into an open position to allow breech access. The pivotable cam end plate and pivotable arm may be capable of a plurality of movements within the same plane in order to optimize leverage and cam action for opening the breech lock.