Pivoting Barrel-Receiver Assembly for Tool-Free Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current firearms with tilting barrel-receiver assemblies require disassembly for maintenance, which can be cumbersome and tool-dependent, limiting access for inspection and repair, especially in field conditions.

Innovation Solution

A pistol design featuring a pivotable and tilting barrel-receiver assembly with a latching mechanism that allows for tool-free access to internal components, enabling the assembly to be easily opened and closed without dismounting from the grip frame, providing ready access for maintenance and inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the barrel-receiver assembly is made fixed and integrated into the frame, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the ease of access for maintenance and inspection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of access for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barrel-receiver assembly is designed to be dynamically movable relative to the frame through a pivot axis, allowing it to tilt between a closed firing position and an open maintenance position. This dynamic capability enables easy access to internal components for inspection and maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during operation through the latching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of repair

If the barrel-receiver assembly is made removable from the frame, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of dismountingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firearm is segmented into modular components: the frame and the barrel-receiver assembly, which can be independently separated. The barrel-receiver assembly is further segmented into the receiver and barrel components that can be dismounted from each other, facilitating easy repair and maintenance without requiring complete disassembly of the entire firearm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A latching mechanism serves as an intermediary device between the barrel-receiver assembly and the frame, providing a simple means to secure and release the assembly. This intermediary component enables easy attachment and detachment without complex fastening systems, maintaining simplicity while allowing removable functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a latching mechanism is added to secure the barrel-receiver assembly, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of locked positionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the barrel-receiver assembly to the frame when the assembly is in the closed position, without requiring additional fastening operations. The mechanism self-activates through the natural movement of the assembly, providing reliable locking while minimizing complexity by eliminating the need for separate locking steps or components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3280968B1Firearm with pivoting barrel-receiver assembly
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 STURM RUGER & CO INC
  • EP3280968B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3280968B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3280968B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A firearm with tilting barrel-receiver assembly includes a frame and a barrel-receiver assembly pivotably mounted to the frame. The barrel-receiver assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position. A latching mechanism includes a latch that selectively engages the barrel-receiver assembly. The latching mechanism may be disposed in the frame in one embodiment. The latching mechanism is movable between a locked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is held in the closed position and an unlocked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is movable to the tilted open position. The latch may be spring biased into the locked position. The barrel-receiver assembly may be configured for complete removal from the pistol in some embodiments. An interlock mechanism formed by a movable safety may be provided which prevents the barrel-receiver assembly from being unlocked when the firearm is in a ready-to-fire condition.