Linear Locking Breech Lever Mechanism for Striker Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

In rifles with linear breeches, there is a risk of premature striker release and accidental firing if the breech head is not fully locked before the trigger is pressed, as the striker can be released by the spring force before the bolt head is completely locked.

Innovation Solution

A lever mechanism with a two-section stroke is introduced, where the first section opposes the striker's release under spring force and positions it so the trigger does not cooperate, and the second section allows the striker to cooperate with the trigger only when the breech head is fully locked, ensuring the trigger remains inactive until the breech is fully engaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the trigger is made active to allow striker release, then the rifle can be fired, but the striker may be released prematurely before the breech head is fully locked, causing accidental firing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger activationVSAvoidsafe operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lever performs a preliminary action by pushing the striker into a disengaged configuration from the trigger during the first section of its stroke, before the breech head is fully locked. This preliminary positioning prevents the trigger from being able to release the striker until the lever completes its full stroke and the breech is properly locked, thereby eliminating the risk of premature firing while maintaining normal trigger operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the striker is held by the trigger alone, then the trigger mechanism is simple, but the striker can be released accidentally if pressed before the breech is locked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrigger mechanismVSAvoidstrike control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the trigger and the striker. During the first section of its stroke, the lever mechanically pushes the striker into a configuration where it disengages from the trigger, creating a safety barrier. This intermediary action ensures that even if the trigger is pressed prematurely, the striker cannot be released because it is physically positioned away from the trigger's engagement point, thus enhancing reliability without significantly complicating the overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the lever stroke is extended to include a first section for striker control, then safety is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operationVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever stroke is segmented into two distinct sections: a first section where the lever pushes the striker into a disengaged configuration for safety, and a second section where the lever returns to allow normal trigger-costracker cooperation. This segmentation allows the lever to perform multiple functions sequentially - first ensuring safety by preventing premature trigger release, then enabling normal operation. The segmentation integrates the safety function into the existing lever mechanism rather than adding a separate system, thus improving reliability with minimal increase in overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design prevents accidental firing by ensuring the striker is held in the armed position by the lever until the breech head is completely locked, eliminating the risk of premature release and ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a striker resiliently loaded by a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The mechanical member of the lever and the complementary mechanical member of the striker together form a cam mechanism, making it possible to transform the rotation of the lever into translational movement of the striker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3450898B1Rifle with linear locking breech
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 CHAPUSRMES
  • EP3450898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450898B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3450898B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a straight-pull rifle, in which the breechblock comprises a bolt head (6) adapted to be engaged inside one end of the barrel, the bolt head internally housing a firing pin elastically loaded by a spring, a firing pin retaining trigger, a locking mechanism, for selectively locking the bolt head in a configuration engaged inside the barrel, this mechanism comprising a lever (14) movable between an unlocked position and a locked position.The stroke of the lever (14) between the unlocked position and the locked position includes a first section, along which the lever opposes the release of the striker under the force of the spring and pushes the striker into a configuration where the trigger no longer cooperates with the striker, and a second section, along which the striker is returned to a configuration where it is able to cooperate with the trigger and where the lever (14), then in the locked position, no longer opposes the release of the striker.