Firearm Ejector Lever Mechanism for Reliable Case Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weapon ejection mechanisms face challenges in determining the timing and position of ejection, require significant space, and are prone to ejection inhibition due to recoil energy reduction from contamination or adverse weather conditions, while also experiencing mechanical and thermal stresses, making reliable and efficient case ejection difficult.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism where the ejector pin is movably mounted within the bolt head, interacting with an ejector lever that rotates upon hitting a housing stop, using springs to control its movement, ensuring reliable ejection without protruding during cartridge insertion and allowing for high-force detachment of stuck cases, with a design that minimizes bulkiness and maximizes robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the ejector extends rearward beyond the bolt and strikes the weapon housing at the end of recoil movement, then the ejection mechanism is simple in design, but the timing and position of ejection cannot be precisely controlled and large space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejector mechanism designVSAvoidtiming and position of ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ejector mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: the ejector pin mounted in the bolt head, the ejector lever rotatably mounted in the sliding piece, and the housing stop. This segmentation allows precise control of ejection timing and position while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ejector lever is preliminarily positioned by the housing stop during bolt recoil, storing potential energy in the lever spring. This preliminary action ensures that when the lever strikes the ejector pin, the ejection occurs at the precisely controlled moment when the bolt reaches the desired position, solving both the precision control and simplicity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the ejector relies on bolt recoil energy to eject the cartridge case, then the mechanism requires minimal additional components, but ejection inhibition occurs when contamination or adverse weather conditions reduce recoil energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejector mechanism componentsVSAvoidejection reliability under adverse conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ejector lever is designed as a dynamic component that rotates about a pivot point, with its position controlled by the interaction between the housing stop and the lever spring. This dynamic mechanism amplifies the available energy and ensures reliable ejection regardless of variations in bolt recoil energy caused by contamination or adverse weather conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lever spring provides periodic force during the bolt's rearward movement, ensuring that the ejector lever is consistently positioned to strike the ejector pin at the correct moment. This periodic action maintains ejection reliability across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If the ejector pin is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and robust, but controlled ejection at defined times and positions cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejector pin mounting structureVSAvoidejection timing and position control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ejector pin is mounted movably in the bolt head, allowing it to move along the barrel axis. This dynamic mounting, combined with the rotatable ejector lever, enables precise control of ejection timing and position while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ejector lever acts as an intermediary between the housing stop and the ejector pin. It translates the bolt's rearward movement into controlled rotation, which then triggers the ejector pin to strike the cartridge case at the precisely defined moment and position required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the ejector mechanism uses a claw that grips the case base, then extraction is reliable, but the mechanism requires significant space and is prone to mechanical stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecase extraction reliabilityVSAvoidspace required for ejection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection function is merged with the existing bolt head and sliding piece structure. The ejector pin is mounted in the bolt head, and the ejector lever is mounted in the sliding piece, utilizing existing structural elements to minimize additional space requirements while maintaining reliable ejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a lateral ejection force that requires significant space, the mechanism utilizes the axial dimension of bolt recoil movement to trigger ejection. The ejector lever rotates in response to axial movement, converting linear motion into rotational motion that activates the ejector pin, thereby reducing the space required for the ejection mechanism.

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

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

Ensures controlled and efficient ejection of cases at defined times and positions, reducing mechanical stresses and space requirements, while maintaining reliability and ease of maintenance, even under varying inertial forces and thermal loads.

Implementation Method 1

es ist unter der Wirkung eines Bolzens Frühlings, die ihn nach hinten weg von der Kartuschengrundplatte drängen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

die unter der Wirkung eines Hebel-Frühlings, die ihn in seine Ruhestellung drängen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

wobei der Auslöser während des Rückwärtbewegens des Bolzenkopfes von einem functional edge des Waffen-Gehäuses geschoben wird

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

schlagen und damit mit hoher, impact-ähnlicher Kraft gegen die Kartuschengrundplatte, gegen die Wirkung des Pin-Frühlings, wodurch der Kartuschen fall vom Bolzenkopf getrennt wird

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4038335B1Firearm with an ejector
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 GLOCK TECH
  • EP4038335B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038335B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038335B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a weapon with cartridge-case ejection, in particular a carbine, with a barrel (1) with a movable sliding piece (18) with a breechblock head (19), with a breech face (42), with a movable ejector (21) and with a functional edge (35), which is fixed with respect to the weapon in the direction of the barrel axis (38) and forces the ejector (21) into its ejecting position when the sliding piece (18) returns after firing a shot. To ensure that ejection always takes place uniformly, an ejector lever (28) is arranged on the sliding piece (18) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (32) extending perpendicularly to the centre plane (44) of the weapon, and said ejector lever comes up against the functional edge (35) during the return movement of the sliding piece (18) and is thereby pivoted, and so it comes up against an abutment face (43) of the ejector (21) and forces it into the ejecting position.