Compact Firearm Pivot Frame Dovetail Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handgun designs miniaturized for size and weight reduction compromise controllability, concealability, and accuracy due to smaller handles, increased target acquisition time, and reduced sight radius, making them unsuitable for concealed carry.
Innovation Solution
A compact firearm design featuring a pivotally connected frame with arcuate dovetail-like mating features, allowing for relative rotation while minimizing size and weight, incorporating a laser sight that does not require eye-level alignment, and an electronic module for easy activation of sighting devices without triggering the firearm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional handgun design is miniaturized to reduce size and weight, then concealability and carrying comfort are improved, but controllability deteriorates due to smaller handle
Solution Approach 1:
The firearm is divided into two separate frame portions: a first frame portion containing the barrel and a second frame portion containing the firing mechanism. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the first frame portion can be minimized for concealability while the second frame portion maintains adequate size for controllability and finger placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot axis is offset from and parallel to the barrel axis, creating a multi-dimensional arrangement. This offset pivot configuration allows the frame portions to pivot relative to each other while maintaining proper alignment, enabling compact folding without compromising the functional dimensions needed for controllability.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional handgun design is miniaturized to reduce size and weight, then concealability is improved, but sight radius is reduced which deteriorates shooting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the barrel and firing mechanism into different frame portions, the sight radius can be maintained along the barrel axis while the overall firearm volume is reduced through the compact folding arrangement of the segmented frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset pivot axis arrangement allows the sight radius to extend along the barrel axis in one dimension while the frame portions fold compactly in another dimension, effectively decoupling the sight radius length from the overall firearm volume.
3Volume of moving object
If traditional handgun design is miniaturized to reduce size and weight, then concealability is improved, but target acquisition time increases due to eye alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of frame portions enables integration of electronic sighting devices in the second frame portion that can provide immediate target indication without requiring the shooter to align optical sights with their eye, thereby reducing target acquisition time while maintaining compact size.
4Volume of moving object
If frame portions are pivotally connected to enable compact folding, then concealability is improved, but structural complexity increases due to mating features
Solution Approach 1:
The mating features are formed as surfaces of revolution about the pivot axis, creating arcuate dovetail-like elements. This curved, rotational geometry simplifies the pivot connection by providing natural alignment and smooth engagement surfaces, reducing the complexity of the pivotal connection while enabling reliable compact folding.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact firearm has a first frame portion including a barrel defining a barrel axis, a second frame portion including a firing mechanism configured to discharge a cartridge residing in a chamber of the barrel, the second frame portion pivotally connected to the first frame portion to pivot about a pivot axis offset from and parallel to the barrel axis, the first frame portion defining a first mating feature formed as a first surface of revolution about the pivot axis, the second frame portion defining a second mating feature formed as a second surface of revolution about the pivot axis, and the first and second mating features mating closely with each other to prevent relative movement between the first and second frame portions except in relative rotation about the pivot axis. The first and second mating features may be dovetail elements.