Firearm Barrel and Breech Assembly with Dual-Level Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firearms with vertically sliding breech blocks face challenges in minimizing width and weight while maintaining effective locking mechanisms, leading to ergonomic issues and increased user fatigue, especially in multiple-barrel weapons.

Innovation Solution

A barrel and breech assembly with a straight sliding breech block featuring dual locking mechanisms at different height levels, comprising complementary geometries on the breech block and barrel, allowing for a narrower and lighter design that absorbs firing forces without compromising locking integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the breech block is lockable to the rear part of the barrel with locking geometries at different height levels, then the width and weight of the weapon are reduced, but the locking reliability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth of the breech blockVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-plane locking mechanism to a multi-level locking system by positioning locking geometries at different height levels (upper and lower parts) on the breech block and corresponding locking geometries on the rear part of the barrel. This vertical dimensionality allows the breech block to be narrower while maintaining sufficient locking engagement through the stacked arrangement of complementary locking surfaces at multiple elevations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the breech block is made narrower to improve ergonomics, then the width of the weapon is reduced, but the ability to absorb firing forces is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth of the breech blockVSAvoidforce absorption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for the reduced width by utilizing the vertical dimension to distribute locking forces. The upper and lower locking geometries create separate force transmission paths that collectively absorb the firing forces through the narrowed breech block structure, allowing force absorption without requiring increased width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking force absorption is segmented into multiple independent locking interfaces at different height levels. Each locking geometry pair (upper and lower) independently contributes to force absorption, distributing the total force burden across multiple contact points rather than relying on a single wide locking surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If the breech block is made lighter to reduce overall weapon weight, then the weight is reduced, but the structural strength is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of the breech blockVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves weight reduction by eliminating the need for a wide breech block structure, using instead a compact design that leverages vertical stacking of locking geometries. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the use of lighter materials and reduced material volume while maintaining structural integrity through the multi-level locking architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4435371A1Assembly of the barrel and breech of a firearm and a firearm with this assembly
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 LEIMER JAN
  • EP4435371A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4435371A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4435371A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly of a barrel and a breech of a firearm and to a weapon with this assembly, where the assembly comprises a barrel (3) having an insertion opening (9), and a breech (1) that comprises a breech housing (10) attached to the barrel, and a straight sliding breech block (11) which is lockable in the closed position by two locking means to the rear part (2) of the barrel to prevent the sliding breech block (11) from being thrown away from the insertion opening (9) against the direction of firing and thereby to prevent the insertion opening from opening during firing and the sliding breech block (11) from striking the breech housing (10), wherein an upper locking means is implemented such that an extension (204) projects on the upper part (19) of the rear part of the barrel, which includes an upper locking geometry (14) of the rear part of the barrel, and the breech block (11) includes an upper locking geometry (12) of the breech block complementary to it implemented on the breech block (11), and furthermore a lower locking means includes a lower locking geometry (13) of the rear part of the barrel implemented on a lower part (20) of the rear part of the barrel and a lower locking geometry (13) of the breech block complementary to it implemented on the breech block (11).