Folding Firearm Vertical Axis Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding firearms typically fold about a horizontal pivot axis, making them less ergonomic and less compact, which limits their convenience and concealability, and many are classified as high-risk due to barrel length or full auto action, hindering commercial success.
Innovation Solution
A folding firearm designed to pivot about a vertical axis, allowing the barrel and shoulder stock to fold into a common direction, maintaining a compact shape while extending in opposite directions, with a pivot axis perpendicular to the barrel bore axis and parallel to the firearm's medial plane, enabling a sleek and compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If folding firearms are designed to fold about a horizontal pivot axis, then they can be folded into a compact shape, but they are less ergonomic and less compact compared to vertical axis folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal pivot axis to a vertical pivot axis, fundamentally changing the folding direction. This inversion allows the firearm to fold into a more compact vertical configuration while maintaining ergonomic operation, as the barrel and stock fold parallel to the ground rather than horizontally across the body
2Volume of moving object
If folding firearms are designed to fold about a horizontal pivot axis, then they can be folded into a compact shape, but their convenience and concealability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the pivot axis from horizontal to vertical, the firearm achieves a more compact folded profile that is easier to conceal and carry. The vertical folding action allows the barrel to fold parallel to the ground, creating a sleeker overall shape that improves adaptability for various carrying positions and concealment scenarios
3Length of moving object
If many folding firearms are classified as class III firearms due to barrel length or full auto action, then they have restricted legal status, but this hinders commercial success
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescoping barrel mechanism that dynamically adjusts the effective barrel length. When folded, the barrel retracts to a shorter length that may avoid class III classification, while when deployed, it extends to the full operational length. This dynamic adjustment allows the firearm to meet legal requirements in different states while maintaining commercial viability
Data Source
AI summary
Folding firearms have a first portion including a shoulder stock having a free end butt surface and a trigger assembly including a trigger lever, a second portion including a frame defining a bolt passage, a bolt received in the bolt passage, and a barrel connected to the frame, and the first portion and second portion being pivotally connected to each other to pivot about a pivot axis between an operating position in which the barrel extends in a first direction and the shoulder stock extends in an opposite direction, and a folded position in which the barrel and shoulder stock extend in a common direction. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a bore axis defined by the barrel, and oriented parallel to a medial plane defined by the firearm, the medial plane being vertical during normal firearm operation.