Semiautomatic Rifle Feeder Control for Open Breech Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-loading rifles cannot be fully loaded when the breech is open due to the interdependence of the feeder's pivoting movement and the breech's locking mechanism, which prevents independent loading of cartridges.

Innovation Solution

A self-loading rifle design where the feeder's pivoting movement is controlled by a separate control element from the catch, allowing the magazine to be fully loaded with the breech open, and featuring a lock catch actuating element and a latching lever system for independent breech operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the feeder and catch are integrated into a single control mechanism, then the breech locking mechanism is simplified, but the magazine cannot be fully loaded when the breech is open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent loading capabilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control mechanism into two independent components: a control element for the feeder and a catch for the breech locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the feeder to be operated independently for loading cartridges into the magazine while the breech remains open, without requiring the breech to be closed or locked. The two components can function separately, enabling full magazine loading with the breech open.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the breech must be closed to load cartridges, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but operational flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol element and catch structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the control element from the catch, the patent enables independent operation of the feeder system. Users can now load cartridges into the magazine with the breech open, providing greater operational flexibility for different shooting scenarios without requiring the breech to be in a specific position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magazine flap as an intermediary component that mediates between the feeder and the magazine. The magazine flap can be independently controlled to allow or prevent cartridge insertion, providing an additional layer of control that enables flexible loading operations regardless of breech position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the feeder is blocked when the breech is open, then the locking mechanism is more reliable, but loading efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speedVSAvoidlocking mechanism reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of the control element and catch allows the feeder to operate independently of the breech locking state. This enables continuous loading operations without interrupting the breech locking mechanism, improving loading efficiency while maintaining the reliability of the locking system through its dedicated catch component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3260807B1Semiautomatic rifle
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 L & O HUNTING GRP
  • EP3260807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3260807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3260807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-loading rifle with a bolt (5, 14) movable within a bolt housing between an open and a closed position, a barrel (3), a magazine (10) arranged below the barrel (3), a bolt catch (28) for holding the bolt (5, 14) in the open position, and a feed system for transporting a cartridge (11) fed from the magazine (10) to the height of the barrel (3), wherein the feed system comprises a feeder (17) pivotable about a transverse axis (18) and a magazine door (30) interacting with the bolt catch (28). To enable the self-loading rifle to be fully loaded even with the bolt open, the pivoting movement of the feeder (17) caused by the bolt (5, 14) is controlled by a control element (25) separate from the bolt catch (28).