Folding Stock Hinge Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current folding stocks for firearms lack a reliable locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent opening or closing, which can lead to equipment malfunction and safety risks due to recoil or impact.
Innovation Solution
A hinge joint with a locking mechanism that requires user action to unlock, featuring a plunger and protrusions that block or allow movement of the hinge leaves, ensuring the stock remains securely deployed or folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a folding stock is designed without a locking mechanism, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent opening or closing during use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages when the stock is in the deployed position and automatically disengages when the stock is folded, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The spring-loaded plunger automatically returns to the blocking position upon folding, providing self-service locking functionality that improves reliability without adding complex manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
A plunger acts as an intermediary element between the hinge joint and the locking function. The plunger translates the mechanical movement of the hinge into automatic locking and unlocking actions, mediating between the simple folding motion and the reliable locking requirement without requiring direct user intervention
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the folding stock, then the reliability improves by preventing inadvertent opening or closing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the hinge joint structure itself rather than being a separate independent system. The plunger is integrated into the hinge assembly, and the locking action is combined with the folding motion, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger provides automatic locking and unlocking without requiring user intervention. The mechanism self-activates based on the hinge position, eliminating the need for separate locking operations or complex control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable locking
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism requires user action to unlock, then the reliability improves by preventing accidental position changes, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically disengages when the stock is folded, and the plunger automatically returns to the blocking position upon deployment. This self-service functionality eliminates the need for manual locking operations, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability through automatic position-dependent locking
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge joint includes first and second hinge leaves pivotably mounted on a hinge pin, where the hinge joint is operable between open and closed positions. The hinge joint has a locking mechanism that prevents opening the hinge joint from a closed position until the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked position. In one example, the locking mechanism includes a plunger retained in the hinge pin. When the plunger is depressed, one or more protrusions can move from a blocking position to a non-blocking position. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism must be moved to the unlocked position prior to opening the hinge joint. The locking mechanism may be used alone or in combination with engagement structures between the first and second hinge leaves. The hinge joint can be part of a folding rifle stock assembly or other hinged assembly.